Partick Thistle Youth (U-19s) Season 2025-26
| 2025-26 (Youth - Under 19s) |
| The second full season under the 'Partick Thistle Youth Academy' name |
| scorers in CAPS • used subs in brackets | |
| 1. Sun-27-Jul-2025 [h] W9-0 Clydebank U-20 (Friendly) |
| – 7.00pm, Petershill Park. |
| 2. Tue-05-Aug-2025 [h] W4-3 Edinburgh City (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 1) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. FALCONER, GRAY, HORN, PATERSON. 3-1 Thistle HT. |
| 3. Fri-08-Aug-2025 [a] D3-3 Cumbernauld Colts U-20 (Friendly) |
| – 7.30pm, Broadwood. McCORMICK, WEIR, PATERSON. |
| 4. Sun-17-Aug-2025 [a] W2-1 Elgin City (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 2) |
| – 1.00pm, Nicol-Togneri Park. HORN, WEIR. 2-0 HT. |
| 5. Tue-26-Aug-2025 [h] W5-2 Falkirk (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 3) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. Storey, Rooney, Low, Lockhart, Mann, TURNER (Waddell 59), Lawless (Nosa 75), MACKENZIE (Weir 75), SAMUEL (Horn 59), FALCONER, D. MacKay (GRAY 59). Unused Subs: Sloan (GK), Docherty. |
| – On a rainy night at Peasy, Thistle run out 5-2 winners in front of a larger than average crowd. For the first time this campaign, Thistle took advantage of the new Hybrid format to the CAS U19s league and dropped some first team / over-age players into the squad; in the end this definitely made a difference to the way the match went, however the young Falkirk side actually gave a really decent account of themselves playing some attractive football and competing well. A first half goal from Kyle Turner was added to by Alex Samuel in 53 minutes, Matty Falconer 10 minutes later, Zander Mackenzie grabbed one on 71 minutes and young Daniel Gray rounded off the scoring in the 80th minute. Falkirk scored one goal a half, with the first being a well-worked goal almost on the stroke of half-time and the second towards the end of the second half via an OG when Alex Mann turned a cross-ball into his own net. |
| 6. Tue-02-Sep-2025 [a] L0-5 Hibernian (Friendly) |
| – 7.30pm, Hibernian Training Centre. |
| – A young squad (featuring 5-6 U17s) travelled through to Ormiston to take on last season's Elite League winners, and were fairly comprehensively beaten by an excellent Hibs side. |
| 7. Fri-05-Sep-2025 [h] W4-2 Hamilton Academical (Friendly) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. Storey, Rooney (Waddell 45), Mann, Lockhart, Trialist, WEIR (Docherty 45), Falconer (C. MacKay 45), Paterson, Horn (Gibson 60), GRAY, TRIALIST ((2), Watson 70). |
| – A strong start by the young Jags saw them 3-0 up by half-time, with two finishes from trialist Gabriel Nosa (formerly of Motherwell and Livingston), and a third from Harry Weir. Accies came back into it a little in the second half, with an early strike after strong work down the left allowing the Hamilton winger to bear down on goal and set up their first of two goals. The second was added 10 minutes later when Alex Mann brought down an Accies forward in the box, and their number 10 converted the penalty neatly. Pressure (and any thoughts of a comeback) was eased with around 5 minutes to go when good hold-up play by the Thistle front line meant that Danny Gray was able to fire off a belting strike into the top right corner. |
| 8. Tue-09-Sep-2025 [h] W4-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 4) |
| – 5.00pm, Petershill Park. Storey, Dolan, Mann, Lockhart (Waddell 65), Watson (Nosa 65), Trialist, WEIR (Docherty 50), PATERSON, Falconer (GIBSON 65), HORN (C. MacKay 65), Gray. Unused Sub: Fisher (GK). |
| – A comfortable win in the end for Thistle, against what could have been a challenging opponent. Inverness took advantage of the over-age players option to bolster their starting line-up with 2 or 3 senior players, but Thistle imposed themselves relatively early in the first half and were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to a Ryan Paterson finish early on (after good work from Falconer set him up) and a second relatively soon after when Harry Weir pounced on a loose ball in the box to drill one home. Into the second half and and the goal of the game was delivered in the form of a Thomas Horn header after a brilliant first-time ball from Steven Docherty, who was not long on the park. Thistle continued to press in the closing phases and were rewarded with a Bradley Gibson low strike from the edge of the box that left the keeper stranded and unsighted after it came through a clump of players. |
| 9. Sun-14-Sep-2025 [a] L1-2 Heart of Midlothian (Friendly) |
| – 1.00pm, Oriam. Storey, Watson, Trialist, Mann, Dolan, Lockhart, Waddell, Docherty, Weir, Falconer, Gibson. Subs (all used): Gray, Nosa, Paterson, O'BRIEN, C. MacKay, Horn. Gabriel Nosa and Flynn O'Brien played as trialists. |
| 10. Fri-19-Sep-2025 [a] W2-0 Ayr United (Friendly) |
| – 7.00pm, Riverside Sports Arena. Fisher (Sloan 45), Watson (Campbell 55), Allan (McCormick 60), Johnston, Waddell, Trialist, Docherty, Urse (Paterson 45), Gray (Gibson 70), C. MacKay (NOSA 45), O'BRIEN. All subs used. Both scorers played as trialists as did the goalie, Oliver Fisher. |
| – With the Scottish Youth Cup (an U-18 competition) campaign kicking off in October, Thistle fielded an U18s squad for this friendly in order to start to build a cohesive U-18 side. Two second half goals were enough to see Thistle come away with the victory but, in reality, it was a fairly comfortable performance against a slightly older opposition and a number of Thistle's U17 players who were called up to the squad performed well. |
| 11. Mon-29-Sep-2025 [a] W8-0 Kelty Hearts (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 5) |
| – 8.00pm, New Central Park. Storey, Watson, Allan, MANN (2), Johnston, Trialist (Urse 62), Trialist (GIBSON (2)), DOCHERTY, Nosa (MCCORMICK 62), Horn (C. MacKay 62), GRAY (2). Unused Sub: Fisher (GK). |
| – Top versus bottom in the league and the scoreline ultimately reflected the 15 position gap between these two sides. 5-0 up at the interval thanks to two Danny Gray goals and two for Alex Mann, both good headers from Docherty corners; Docherty also got in on the act with his own fine finish right on the stroke of half-time. Into the second half and the substitutes had a decent impact with Bradley Gibson and Jake McCormick both scoring. Thistle remain top of the league by virtue of goal difference, with Queens Park also unbeaten. |
| 12. Tue-07-Oct-2025 [h] W4-1 Livingston (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 6) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. Storey, S. Johnston, Allan (Waddell 86), Dolan, Watson, Trialist (MCCORMICK (2) 65), Docherty (C. MACKAY 78), Trialist, Gray, NOSA (Campbell 65), Gibson (Paterson 65). Unused subs: Fisher (GK), R.Johnston. 6 wins from 6 in the league, top spot maintained. |
| – First team Coach Mark Wilson chose to watch the first half of this match, which was probably a mistake as it had no goals and not too much quality on display. A rare highlight was when Danny Gray had a chance to give Thistle the lead from the penalty spot on 25 minutes after Docherty was fouled in the box. The Livingston goalkeeper saved well however from a (slightly) down-the-middle strike. Into the second half and the deadlock was broken after 61 minutes by (recently signed) Gabe Nosa. This goal was soon added to by a quick fire double from U17 Winger Jake McCormick (66 and 73 mins), who didn't look out of place at this age group at all. Livingston got a goal back from a corner on 85, however any suggestions of a come back were well and truly doused when Chrissy Mackay turned his man smartly in the box to slot home in the bottom left corner, on the stroke of 90 minutes. |
| 13. Tue-14-Oct-2025 [a] D1-1 St Mirren (Friendly) |
| – 7.30pm, St Mirren Training Centre. Fisher (Sloan 68), Watson (Kane 60), Waddell, R. Johnston (H. Stanway HT), S. Johnston, TRIALIST (Miller 68), Urse, Fullerton (McDonald 68), Campbell, Gibson (Pickering 60), C. MacKay (Braid 68). All subs used. Oliver Fisher was a trialist goalie. |
| – With a Scottish Youth Cup (u18) fixture looming large, Gary Irvine took a very young squad featuring U19s, U17s and U16s to Ralston to play a friendly against St Mirren; the match was evenly contested with limited clear cut opportunities at either end. The only goals came when a PTFC trialist won and converted a penalty near the end of the first half, and again around 70 minutes when St Mirren equalised from a flowing move down the left. A decent match and good experience for the younger players and (younger brother) Stanway is an U16 name that may stick out for Thistle supporters. |
| 14. Fri-24-Oct-2025 [h] W3-2 Motherwell (Scottish Youth Cup 3rd Round) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. 1st & 2nd Round byes. Fisher, Rooney (S. Johnston 45), Waddell, Allan, Watson, Trialist (McCormick 75), DOCHERTY, Trialist (Campbell 75), Paterson (Fullerton 75), NOSA (C. MacKay 60), GRAY. Unused subs: Sloan (GK), Gibson. Brilliant result and now 7 wins out of 7 in all comps for Gary Irvine's boys! |
| – Our hybrid 17s/19s preparations for the national U-18 tournament paid off against a strong opponent. A year on from duffing up Rangers in the same round, this had a very similar feel, changing tides and a late minute winner! Steven Docherty put Thistle ahead and Gabriel Nosa made it two before the break. The tie was squared after a second-half comeback by the visitors, but top scorer Daniel Gray provided a late winner to send the young Jags through to the last 16. It was a good 45 minutes in the tank for Liam Rooney too, who has been out for 7 weeks with a fracture in his toe. |
| 15. Tue-28-Oct-2025 [a] W2-1 Montrose (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 7) |
| – 7.45pm, Links Park. Storey (Fisher 85), Rooney, Waddell (R. Johnston 60), Allan, Watson, MURRAY (pen), Docherty, O'Brien (C. MacKay 60), NOSA (Gibson 85), Weir, Paterson (McCormick 75). All subs used. Oliver Fisher, Kyle Murray & Flynn O'Brien played as trialists. Thistle go outright top of the league with an impressive 7 straight wins. This was was hard-fought victory against a high-flying and experienced Montrose side, which featured some first team players including Brazilian Matheus Machado, former-Jag Ryan Williamson in defence and striker Connor May. |
| – The first-half was all about Montrose as they played the faster, crisper and more effective football; their reward after around 15 minutes was a 1-0 lead after their frontline pounced on a mistake at the back from Thistle. Into the second period and a handball led to a penalty which allowed the young Jags to get back on level terms, just five minutes in. Coaching duo Gary Irvine and Craig Reid then used their subs to good effect, with Mackay bringing some energy to the press and Robbie Johnston, who hasn't featured much this season after a long injury, bringing some assurance to the Thistle back line. Thistle's efforts were rewarded with 10 minutes to go when Gabe Nosa headered in from close range after a Thistle corner from the left dropped right onto the back post. Thistle saw the game out, continuing to press hard for an elusive third, but still ensured three points came back down the road. |
| 16. Tue-11-Nov-2025 [a] L0-4 Queen's Park (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 8) |
| – 7.30pm, Lochinch Sports Complex. Storey, Mann (R. Johnston 75), Waddell, Allan, Watson, Weir (Fullerton HT), Docherty (Gibson 80), Murray, Paterson (Trialist HT), Nosa (C. MacKay 65), Gray. Unused sub: Fisher (GK). |
| – With both sides undefeated and sitting in positions 1 and 2 in the table respectively, this was expected to be a tough and well-contested game. In reality, although the first 30 was was relatively even, slack play in possession, Thistle players failing to release and move the ball quickly enough and some excellent play from Queen's Park meant that the last 15 minutes of the first half saw an irrecoverable collapse from the young Jags, losing 3 goals in quick succession. Into the second half and things were much more even, with the only goal coming in the last ten minutes from a set-piece that Storey will feel that he probably should have reached. QP were rightful winners over the piece and move 4 points clear at the top of the table; probably worth noting that they leaned heavily into their periphery first team squad, whereas Thistle elected not to call upon the likes of Dolan, Rooney, Falconer, Lockhart or Horn. |
| 17. Fri-21-Nov-2025 [a] L1-2 Hibernian (Scottish Cup 4th Round) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. Fisher, Rooney (Waddell 80), Allan (Urse 80), Dolan, Watson, O'BRIEN (C. MacKay 75), Docherty, Murray, Paterson (Fullerton 60), Nosa, Gray. Unused subs: Sloan (GK), Gibson. Oliver Fisher played as a trialist. Defeat at a rain-soaked but packed Peasy for the young Jags and probably best described as a missed opportunity. Hibs are arguably the strongest youth side in the country, currently sitting atop the U19s elite league, and their squad featured a number of players who have performed well in this years UEFA Youth League as well as the KDM Trophy. |
| – The first half was evenly balanced and, were it not for some fairly wasteful efforts in front of goal, Thistle could have sneaked ahead. Into the second half and recently-signed Flynn O'Brien won and converted a penalty inside 50 minutes. The response from Hibs was swift with two goals in 10 minutes, probably fair to say that the Thistle goalkeeper and backline will be disappointed at their easy concession. Into the last 20 minutes and the subs made a difference, helping to pile pressure on the Hibs box for the closing minutes; however ultimately, it wasn't to be and Hibs progress to the Quarter finals. Although well contained and not at their best on the night, if they find their form again they'll be likely finalists. |
| 18. Tue-25-Nov-2025 [a] W4-0 Queen of the South (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 9) |
| – 7.30pm, Palmerston. Storey (Fisher 70), Murray, DOLAN, Allan (Waddell 60), Rooney (Grant 65), WEIR, Docherty, LOCKHART, O'Brien (Gibson 60), MACKAY (Paterson 65), Gray. All subs used. Thistle move to within 1 point of Queens Park at the top of the league. |
| – In the end, Thistle ran out comfortable winners at a freezing Palmerston Park, after an opening 45 that was fairly evenly contested and probably turned in the favour of the young Jags when Chrissy MacKay beat two Queens defenders to the ball at the edge of the box, only to be upended, winning not only a free kick in a promising position, but seeing one of the defenders dismissed for a DOGSO foul. Over the remaining 15 minutes of the half, Thistle piled on the pressure and were eventually rewarded with a goal when a powerful Dolan shot from 20 yards was parried by the goalkeeper and MacKay reacted smartly to drive home the opener. Into the second half and Nick Lockhart extended Thistle's lead with a long range effort that the keeper mishandled. Soon after it was 3-0 as Dolan rose well to fire home a header and, saving probably the best till last, Harry Weir rounded off the scoring with a crisp drive into the bottom left from 19 yards out after some neat play from back to front. |
| 19. Tue-09-Dec-2025 [a] L0-1 St Johnstone (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 10) |
| – 7.00pm, McDiarmid Park 3G. Fisher, Low (Watson 70), Allan, Mann, Murray (Waddell 65), Rooney, Docherty, Lockhart (Gibson 70), Weir (McCormick 70), MacKay (Paterson 60), Nosa. All subs used. |
| – Defeat on the road for Gary Irvine's young Jags; the difference between the sides was a converted first half penalty for St Johnstone after a short back pass left Fisher in the Thistle goal committed but significantly late on the advancing attacker. On the night that the first team's match against Cove was called off late, stormy conditions meant there wasn't a whole lot of football played in Perth either. This defeat (only the second of the season) leaves the Thistle U19s second in the league and 4 points off top. |
| 20. Fri-19-Dec-2025 [a] W4-3 Dumbarton U-20 (Friendly) |
| – 8.00pm, Budhill Park. Fisher (Storey HT), ROONEY (Waddell 60), Mann, Dolan (Docherty 60), Watson, C. Campbell, Murray, O'Brien, Gray (Gibson HT), MACKAY (2), PATERSON (Nosa 60). All subs used. |
| – With no CAS league action this week, the young Jags took on Dumbarton FCs U20s, currently riding high in the Scottish Lowlands Development League. In a tightly contested match, Thistle ran out 4-3 winners thanks to goals from Ryan Paterson, Liam Rooney and a Chrissy Mackay double. A rare appearance for Ché Campbell in the the Thistle midfield. |
| 21. Tue-13-Jan-2026 [h] W4-3 Airdrieonians (CAS Performance/AY U-19s League - game 11) |
| – 7.30pm, Petershill Park. Storey, Watson, Waddell, Allan (Johnston 85), Murray, O'Brien (Urse 80), Lockhart, DOCHERTY (Fullerton 70), GRAY (Gibson 70), HORN (2) (Nosa 70), MacKay. Unused Sub: Fisher (GK). |
| – Thomas Horn returned to the U19s side after a spell out on loan with League 1 Peterhead, immediately making an impact with two first half goals. These were added to by a neat finish from Steven Docherty to ensure that Thistle headed into half-time with a 3-2 lead. A goal for each side in the second half (with Danny Gray grabbing Thistle's) meant that the young Jags were able to see out a 4-3 home victory that really should have been a good bit more comfortable. Thistle leapfrog Montrose in the league to go back into second place, one point off leader Queen's Park. |
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| 2025-26 Youth (U-19s) summary notes |
|
P21 W14 D2 L5 (2.095 ppg)
|
| see also: |
| 2025-26 (First Team) → |
| 2025-26 (Reserves) → |
| 2025-26 (Z-List) → |
| 2025-26 (Women) → |
| 2025-26 (Scottish Youth Cup) → |
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