Thursday 12th March, 2020 at 12:11pm
Often one moment can really define a match and despite dominating the vast majority of the game, it took Thistle until the 93rd minute of Tuesday night’s draw with Dunfermline to get their big moment. It came from a corner as Reece Cole’s delivery was batted away by Owain Fon Williams before it returned to the Englishman and he lifted a ball towards the edge of the six-yard box for Brian Graham to head home with Cole notching his fifth assist of the season so far. Thistle’s number 12 spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle:
“It’s a point but it’s a disappointing one with how we performed over the course of the game. We can’t complain too much though, we didn’t take our chances and we need to take the draw and move forward.”
For the second time in two games, the Maryhill men came back from a goal down to get a point in a fixture which is something that Reece was pleased to see albeit he felt they should have been out of sight by the time Dunfermline took the lead.
“We’ve gone in to the dressing room with our heads down but it shows fight to come back again. We’ve struggled to take the lead in games recently and the longer that it goes on at 0-0, it really is in the balance. We pushed right to the end though and at least it’s a point gained on the teams above us.”
It’s been three draws in a row to start March for Ian McCall’s side and although Reece has seen improvement in the team, he knows that doesn’t count for anything if you can’t put wins on the board.
“Ultimately, they’re three games we feel we could have got more from; especially the two home matches. We’ve created plenty of opportunities and different players have had the chances but we just haven’t been able to convert for whatever reason. I think you can see we’re not far off but we need to take the next step and win games quickly.”
The goal coming deep into injury time provided a dramatic finish to a high tempo game and Cole is hoping that the late leveller will galvanise the team going into Saturday’s game against Alloa.
“It felt like we weren’t going to get anything towards the end so to see Brian head my cross in was a great feeling and you could see that from the players and fans. It’s our first goal from open play in March so hopefully that sort of lifts the weight a little bit because I’ve always felt that if we get one we’ll start to score more.”
Before the game, fans in the John Lambie Stand unveiled a banner reading ‘Don’t Give up the Fight’ and Cole finished by echoing that sentiment and paying tribute to the fans.
“The fans have been great home and away because it’s been a really long time since we won and they’re still supporting us right up until the final whistle. Hopefully they can see that we’re giving it our all and will continue to support us because we need them more than ever.”
Looking towards Saturday’s game, the team are under no illusions regarding the importance of the match but Reece feels it’s one Thistle will go into with confidence.
“I think the positives from the last three games have boosted the group quite a bit. We’re still desperate to get that first win of the year but there’s certainly a belief within the dressing room that we can turn things around and hopefully that starts with a big win at the weekend.”
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