10th Mar 2001 Berwick Rangers 0 Partick Thistle 1 (SFL Second Division - game 29)

matches:2000-01: ← 36game 3738 →

	Paul Smith	John Lambie	60y, 0m, 8d

		Mark McNally
		Sandy Stewart

		Martin Hardie (1-0, 50 mins)
Innes Ritchie; Marc Anthony; Grant McMartin		Mark McNally; Scott McLean
Marc Anthony (@ 1-0, 67 mins)
Craig Findlay (Kris O'Neil, 59 mins); Grant McMartin (Gordon Forrest, 71 mins); Mark Duthie (Kevin Walton, 80 mins)		Peter Lindau (George Shaw, 89 mins)

	Willie McCulloch	Kenny Arthur	22y, 3m, 3d
	Dale Gray	David McCallum	23y, 6m, 3d
	Alan Neill	Alan Archibald	23y, 2m, 25d
	Innes Ritchie	Stephen Craigan	24y, 4m, 9d
	Mark Duthie	Jamie Smith	22y, 7m, 27d
	Jonny Whelan	Mark McNally	30y, 0m, 0d
	Martin Neil	Derek Collins	31y, 8m, 0d
	Marc Anthony	Danny Lennon	31y, 11m, 4d
	Grant McMartin	Scott McLean	24y, 8m, 21d
	Craig Findlay	Martin Hardie	24y, 10m, 16d
	future Jag Barry Elliot	Peter Lindau	28y, 3m, 1d

			26y, 1m, 17d

	Craig Pucko	Michael Brown	21y, 4m, 3d
	Gordon Forrest	Sandy Stewart	35y, 4m, 24d
	Kevin Walton	Brian Hamilton	33y, 7m, 5d
	Paul Ronald	George Shaw	32y, 1m, 0d
	Kris O'Neil	Allan Moore	36y, 2m, 13d

TTA report

Berwick had most of the early pressure and Arthur had some fine saves. Hardie scored from a Lennon cut-back (50) then Berwick blazed a pen over the bar (56). They were then reduced to 10 men (2nd yellow, dissent, 67). Thistle took no advantage however and didn't add to the score. Close, but a win.

Media report

12-Mar-2001, Daily Record

COLLINS AGONY AT MISSING JAGS PARTY. LOAN star Derek Collins last night admitted he'd rather stay and help Partick Thistle win the Second Division than return to Hibs' chase for a Champions League place. Collins was in the Hibs side that ran away with the First Division title two years and he is now performing a similar role for the Jags. He helped them secure three more points against 10-man Berwick as they continued their relentless march towards a return to the First Division. But Collins insists it will be a huge wrench if he has to miss out on the title celebrations at Firhill at the end of the season. He said: “The title is always on our minds but we don't want to state we are champions until it is mathematically impossible for anyone to catch us. I think it is safe to say we are promoted, though, because we're in a comfortable position. It was good to be part of the Hibs side that won promotion from the First Division. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll get a chance to be part of Thistle's celebrations because I've got only one more game before I go back to Easter Road. I'm glad to have played my part and hopefully I've added a wee bit to the promotion push. I think my future lies away from Hibs but I might have to wait until next season to get a move.”

Thistle claimed the points with Martin Hardie's 15th goal of the season when he fired home a cutback from Danny Lennon in the 50th minute. Six minutes after Hardie's goal, Berwick missed a penalty when Alan Neil shot wildly over the bar after Marc Anthony was fouled by Jamie Smith. Then they had Anthony - booked earlier - sent off for dissent in 67 minutes.

At the final whistle Thistle fans invaded the pitch to party as if they had won the League. It's only a matter of time because they are 24 points ahead of second placed Arbroath. Boss John Lambie said: “I thought we deserved the win. There were plenty of chances for both sides early on. I think our keeper only had one save to make in the second half. But I was disappointed we didn't make them work more when they went down to 10 men.”

Berwick chief Paul Smith said: “I'm disappointed that we didn't take something. The boy Hardie, who I tried to sign last year, took his goal really well. It was disappointing to miss the penalty and have a man sent off but even with 10 men we outplayed them. But credit to the players because we more than matched Thistle.”

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