The Thistle Archive

The football season was opened on Milton field by a game between these teams. The weather was splendid, the sun being nicely tempered by a cooling breeze of wind, and there was a large gathering of spectators. J. Morgan, N. Low, J. Martin and A. Smith were absent from the home team, their places being taken by Thomson, R. Martin, M. Reid and H. Todd. The Partick also had several substitutes and Paul especially was much missed. For the first ten minutes, play was of a very straggling nature, and shooting was erratic. Kilbirnie was first to get settled, and from a pass by R. Martin, Reid scored for Kilbirnie the first point in the game. Two shots for Kilbirnie followed quickly, one going over and the other striking the post. Then the Thistle relieved, and made it hot for the home team. From a foul off J. Watt, Hislop equalised, and kept up the pressure for several minutes. Both teams showed signs of fagging, but a couple of minutes before half-time, a run was started by R. Martin, who passed to Wilson and G. Todd, the latter having a hard shot which Corkindale cleverly saved, but F. Watt immediately returned the ball, and scored number two for Kilbirnie. On play being resumed, the visitors front rank made a rush, and Ferguson put in the equalising point for the Thistle, and after nearly half an hours hard play, in which both goals were assailed, and ably defended by their respective keepers, Drummond scored the third point for Partick after a good piece of work by the forwards. Shortly after this Kilbirnie, from a scrimmage, equalised, and the game ended in a draw - 3 goals each.

Glasgow Herald, 12th August, 1889

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