8th Aug 1891 Partick Thistle 3 Ayr 2 (Scottish Alliance - game 1)

matches:1891-92: ← 41game 0102 →

Match Information

Thomas Campbell; Thomas McKeown; Peter Rodger; J. Woods
John Herd; Jacky Smith; John Stewart; Sam Clark
Watty Keay (1-0, 1st half); Willie Paul (2-1, 2nd half); Willie Paul (3-2, 2nd half)					Loudon (1-1, 1st half); Robert Cunningham (2-2, 2nd half)
23y, 11m, 9d			John McCorkindale		Carswell
25y, 6m, 12d			William Proudfoot		Russell
			Thomas Campbell		D. Hamilton
			Thomas McKeown		Spiers
			John Cameron		Govan
18y, 10m, 3d			Peter Rodger		Stewart
19y, 10m, 15d			John Gilchrist		Robert Cunningham
			J. Woods		Loudon
20y, 6m, 23d			Watty Keay		J. Hamilton
18y, 10m, 23d			James Henry Davie		John Tannock
25y, 6m, 1d			Willie Paul		Sam Feggans
21y, 10m, 14d

notes

The scheduled 4.15pm kick off was delayed as Ayr were late in turning up.

match data help required

We're always looking to improve our match data in terms of filling in missing timings, profile pictures, identifying unknown forenames, missing linesmen etc. We require specific help in this match: Who was the referee? Please do get in touch → if you can assist in any way!

Match Report

TTA report

First ever Scottish Alliance league match. Keay opened the scoring “amidst cheers“ (GH) but Ayr made it 1-1 at half-time. Paul headed a 2nd but a defensive error by Campbell made it 2-2. However, Thistle earned their first ever league points from a scramble late on in the game. A well-deserved win (SR).

Media report

10-Aug-1891, Glasgow Herald

Played at Inchview Park, Whiteinch before 1,000 spectators. Losing the toss, the Thistle started the game against the wind. At the start, the Ayr pressed for a short time. Then the Thistle took up the running, and pressed. They had four corners in succession, but all were fruitless. Ultimately, Keay, by a splendid effort, scored the first goal for them amidst cheers. Five minutes later Loudon equalised. At half time the score was:- Partick Thistle, 1 goal; Ayr, 1 goal. The second half was started with great energy. Aided by the wind the Thistle pressed severely; Paul headed through a second goal for them. Nettled at this reverse the Ayr put on a spurt, and, through a mistake by Campbell, Cunningham scored, thus equalising the game once more. From then till close both teams strove hard for the winning point. Just before time the Thistle added a third goal from a scrimmage, Paul doing the needful. Result:- Partick Thistle, 3 goals; Ayr, 2 goals.

Scrapbook

magnifiable if deemed necessary by your browser

Glasgow Evening News, 20th June, 1891

Glasgow Herald, 10th August, 1891

Scottish Referee, 10th August, 1891

Scottish Referee, 10th August, 1891

Stats Watch

● The opening game of the seventeenth season of Partick Thistle F.C.

● Thomas McKeown makes his first-known appearance for Thistle.

● Ayr become the 49th club to play Partick Thistle in competitive action, 1 year on from the first friendly meeting between the sides.

● Thistle play their first match in the Scottish Alliance League, their thirteenth competition.

ongoing sequences:

● 4 consecutive competitive home wins; 12th Oct 1889 to date. (Longest run since the club-record: 6 wins; 5th Feb 1881 to 30th Sep 1882.)

● 5 consecutive competitive away defeats; 2nd Nov 1889 to date. (An extension of the club-record.)

● 6 competitive home games without defeat; 1st Dec 1888 to date. (Longest run since the club-record: 7 games; 5th Feb 1881 to 28th Oct 1882.)

● 16 competitive games without a clean-sheet; 8th Dec 1888 to date. (An extension of the club-record.)

● 16 consecutive competitive away games in which Thistle have scored; 14th May 1887 to date. (An extension of the club-record.)

● 21 competitive away games without a clean-sheet; 31st Oct 1885 to date. (An extension of the club-record.)

● 21 consecutive quoted competitive appearances (not known to be broken) for John McCorkindale, 29th Aug 1888 to date. (Longest run since the club-record: Andrew Johnston - 24 games, 24th Oct 1885 to 27th May 1889.)

Stats Watch adheres to our stated definitions of League, League Max, Major Competitive, Competitive or All Games. Where there is no written qualification, you should presume that the Stat in question is compiled from the All Games criteria.

.

match hubs

advertisement

Partick Thistle: A People’s History celebrates 150 years of the club through the eyes of the fans. It will be a superb addition to your Thistle collection, expertly curated and edited by Kenny Pieper, a real heart and soul effort from the author and the contributors (the fans).

• The book is set to be published in August 2026, each of the first editions uniquely numbered.
• Pre-order your limited edition copy and add your own dedication or message (up to 500 words).
• A labour of love - all royalties to the club.

Buy now: £18.76 (genius pricing!) from ptfc.co.uk