Monday 30th December, 2019 at 10:01am
Tam O’Ware was the hero on Saturday afternoon as the Partick Thistle skipper bagged the winner on his return to face his former club, Greenock Morton, at Cappielow Park. Goals from Alex Jones and Kyle Jacobs had the score level at half-time but O’Ware, having been denied by a brilliant Danny Rodgers save seconds before, fired home from Reece Cole’s corner to secure a huge three points for the travelling Jags going into 2020. The defender spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the match, reflecting on his team’s third win from four December games.
“Coming to Cappielow, we knew it was going to be difficult with the conditions. It’s hard enough playing here when it’s dry but there had been some rain on it this morning which made it even tougher. Despite that though, the boys battled and fought for everything.
“We were winning a lot of those second balls and we showed a side that I think we’ve lacked a bit this season so overall we’re delighted to get a big three points and with everything that’s happened around the Club over the last few days, it’s a fitting win.”
After taking the lead on five minutes through Alex Jones second goal in three games, the away side were pegged back as Kyle Jacobs converted from the penalty spot, however, O’Ware felt Thistle were a bit hard done by to concede the spot kick.
“I didn’t think it was a penalty. If you’re giving those in the Championship then you’re giving multiple penalties every game but we just had to accept it.
“It was kick in the gut to go into half-time at 1-1 because we felt like we’d dominated that first half and played some really good football. The midfield and attack held onto the ball well and, in particular, I thought Stuart Bannigan was outrageously good along with the other guys like Reece Cole and Alex Jones up top plus we had attacking threat from the full-backs so it was definitely tough to go into the break without the lead.”
Ian McCall named an unchanged side for the third week running at the weekend and Tam feels like things are settling down and coming together on the park.
“The manager’s still only been back for two or three months so it’s only natural that it’s taken time for him to figure out what his best team is. I think when you look at our current stretch of results, we’ve done alright on the whole and we’ve managed to get some points on the board ahead of the transfer window.”
Thistle now prepare for a trip to the Indodrill Stadium to face Alloa in the first game of the New Year and Tam emphasised the importance of building on the win at Cappielow with victory in Clackmannanshire.
“It’s only three points and we’ve got another massive game next week so we just need to get back into training on Monday and focus all our energy on winning again next weekend against Alloa. If we win that one then we can really build a gap between us and the bottom and pull a bit closer to the group above us.”
On a personal note, the victory was especially sweet for Tam as he came back to haunt his former club with the winning goal and he wasn’t afraid to admit his pleasure at striking the fatal blow.
“It came just after the ‘keeper had made a great save and when he did that I was wondering whether I’d ever score again but I did pretty much straight away. I honestly didn’t think I’d got enough on it but I caught it on the half bounce and got it on target and it went in so I’m absolutely over the moon.
“Since the day I left I’ve come in for a bit of abuse from the fans and when I was out injured, I got a bit from them in the stands so it’s spurred me on a bit and when I scored, I couldn’t help but celebrate like I did. For it to be the winner too is brilliant.”
A more in depth video interview with Ian McCall is available to Jagzone subscribers now as well as reaction from Stuart Bannigan and Osman Kakay – log in to view.
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