6th Dec 1997 Falkirk 0 Partick Thistle 1 (SFL First Division - game 16)

matches:1997-98: ← 20game 2122 →

Match Information

			Alex Totten		John McVeigh			40y, 10m, 11d
					David Farrell; Jamie McKenzie
					Jered Stirling; Iain Nicolson
					Andy Lyons (1-0, 68 mins)
					David Farrell
Scott Crabbe (Albert Craig, 70 mins); Scott MacKenzie (David Hagen, 73 mins)					Jamie McKenzie (Iain Nicolson, 67 mins); Alan Morgan (Alex Martin, 85 mins)
			former Jag Craig Nelson		Kenny Arthur			18y, 11m, 29d
			future Jag Martyn Corrigan		Gregg Watson			27y, 2m, 15d
			Andy Seaton		Alan Archibald			19y, 11m, 23d
			Kevin James		David Farrell			28y, 1m, 7d
			Neil Oliver		Kevin Gaughan			19y, 9m, 0d
			Scott MacKenzie		Jamie McKenzie			17y, 0m, 7d
			former Jag David Moss		Jimmy Boyle			30y, 9m, 17d
			Scott Crabbe		Nicky Henderson			28y, 9m, 28d
			Marino Keith		Gareth Evans			30y, 10m, 22d
			future Jag Paul McGrillen		Alan Morgan			22y, 11m, 26d
			Kevin McAllister		Andy Lyons			31y, 1m, 17d
								25y, 0m, 22d
			Andy Lawrie		Alex Martin			18y, 3m, 18d
			former Jag Albert Craig		Iain Nicolson			21y, 1m, 23d
			David Hagen		Jered Stirling			21y, 1m, 23d

Match Report

TTA report

A fighting display against 2nd top Falkirk. Thistle were largely in defence against the elements but even so, Lyons and Evans had chances to open the scoring. A better second half saw Lyons score from 20 yards (65). Arthur had a fine save late on but Thistle saw the game out for their 1st win since September.

Media report

08-Dec-1997, The Mirror

Overjoyed Jags boss John McVeigh vowed to party the night away after Partick Thistle clinched their first away win for nine months. The Firhill manager was ready to celebrate in style when his side beat Falkirk by a single goal. And he said afterwards: “I'm on top of the world. There's a party tonight and I will be celebrating. In the second half we had most of the clear-cut chances but the way we are just now, you sometimes you think that things aren't going to go your way. But really, I'm absolutely delighted, what a difference a win makes.”

The win was Thistle's first away success since they defeated East Fife in April, and only their second victory this season. But McVeigh believes the cash crisis club can now look forward to an upturn in fortunes. He said: “The players have been working hard and their attitude is great. Their commitment is exactly why this club will continue.” Jags defender David Farrell also pin-pointed team spirit as the key to victory. The former Hibs ace said: “All the players are working for each other and that showed in the battling performance. I know the gaffer is going to a party and I might have more than a few shandies tonight!”

Falkirk had dominated most of the match but could find no reply to Thistle's winner in the 68th minute. Midfielder Andy Lyons picked the ball up 25 yards out then found the space to fire the ball into the bottom corner. Bairns Paul McGrillen and Kevin James both squandered chances to put the Brockville side ahead in the first half and keeper Kenny Arthur secured the win for Thistle with a fantastic save in the dying seconds. Falkirk boss Alex Totten said: “At the end of the day we didn't put the ball in the net and that's what wins games. We did lose a bad goal but I can't complain with the application or determination of the players.”

Scrapbook

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Daily Record, 8th December, 1997

Glasgow Herald, 8th December, 1997

The Sun, 8th December, 1997

Stats Watch

ongoing sequences:

● 18 consecutive competitive appearances for Jimmy Boyle, 2nd Aug 1997 to date, a new personal best. (Longest run since: Charlie Adams - 22 games, 12th Apr 1997 to 29th Nov 1997. Club-record: Johnny Jackson - 313 games, 28th Aug 1926 to 25th Mar 1933.)

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.

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