The Thistle Archive

Media report

01-Sep-2002, bbc.com

THISTLE STING ABERDEEN. Partick Thistle picked up their first win of the season with a narrow victory at Pittodrie. David Lilley returned to haunt his old club with the only goal of the game as the Jags dominated most of the game. Nicolas Fabiano had a debut to forget for the Dons when he was sent off early in the second half, having picked up two yellow cards. A bad-tempered close to the game saw Aberdeen throw men forward in numbers but they could not find a way through the visiting defence. Injury-hit Aberdeen, suffering after Uefa Cup success in Moldova were without the services of defender Kevin McNaughton, suspended after his red card at Ibrox last week. And the Dons were forced into four more changes from midweek. Roberto Bisconti, Darren Mackie, Fergus Tiernan and Derek Young were all out injured . In came Leon Mike, Ben Thornley, Chris Clark and Fabiano. For the visitors Ricky Waddell replaced Andy Gibson.

The opening period was rather stagnant with neither side making much positive headway. The Partick defence, marshalled by ex-Dons skipper Derek Whyte and Scott Paterson were coping easily with the Dons' attacks which lacked guile and imagination. Alex Burns was causing problems for Aberdeen with his mobility and movement but too often lacked support from his team-mates. In the 23rd minute a Waddell near-post corner had Kjaer under pressure from Martin Hardie but the ball was eventually cleared to safety. It took the Dons 30 minutes to win their first corner and striker Leon Mike came close with a flick header from Ben Thornley's near-post cross but the ball looped over Kenny Arthur's bar. A minute later the visitors took the lead when Waddell whipped over a cross to the back post where Lilley was left so squeeze the ball in from a tight angle. Moments later Thistle defender Alan Archibald found himself in space inside the Dons box but his shot was saved by Kjaer at his right hand post.

After the break the home side were pinned back immediately and Lilley again came close with a header following a Waddell corner. Aberdeen were insipid and uninspired but, strangely, were given a lift when Fabiano was sent packing after 55 minutes for a second booking. The incident injected a bit more life into a dull game and the home side were guilty of some bruising challenges. Burns had a great chance to put the game out of Aberdeen's reach but made a terrible hash of his shot and fired the ball well wide when it looked easier to score. Arthur produced a great save to deny teenage teenage substitute Scott Michie as Aberdeen finished the game strongly.

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