 Media report |
Saints won't be repeating their cup-run heroics this season after bowing out of the CIS Insurance competition on penalty kicks. Like the Challenge Cup trip to Raith a fortnight ago, it was veteran keeper Alan Main who almost dragged his side into the next round single-handed with yet another excellent save from the spot, but stand-in skipper Derek McInnes forced the last penalty wide to end the contest. However the win was no more than Partick deserved, after dominating possession for much of the regulation 90 minutes. Man of the match Stevie Murray particularly shone on the left wing, putting in an old-fashioned Scottish jinky performance to delight the home fans - but ultimately despite a series of chances for front men Paul Di Giacomo and Liam Buchanan, the home side lacked the firepower to take advantage.
Saints had started the game with a revised attack, Daal and McCluskey dropping out in favour of the returning Hardie and a first start for Kevin Moon. Steven Anderson continued in defence in the absence of Kevin Rutkiewicz and Peter MacDonald remained on the bench. The signs were there in the opening ten minutes, as Partick won a series of free kicks in dangerous areas. It took until the 11th minute to really press that advantage, but Di Giacomo's diving header just skirted wide after a superb cross from Buchanan. Moments later Saints were nearly in through speedy David Weatherston, but keeper Jonny Tuffey got there in the nick of time. Partick went straight back up the field and Murray's cross was begging for a striker, but nobody could reach the ball in time. The visitors didn't get going in earnest until mid-way through the first half, with some nice passing from Stanic and Hardie teeing up Kevin Moon for a chipped shot just over the bar. McInnes had a shot well saved and blasted a rebound over the bar. But Partick were soon back into their stride, Adam Strachan standing out on the right wing. His cross in the 29th minute found David Rowson but the ex-Aberdeen man rifled his shot past the far post. Shortly afterwards, Buchanan and Strachan combined well but the former's shot went high over the bar. Just before half time, the best chance so far fell to Di Giacomo, but the player on loan from Kilmarnock found no way past keeper Main, who pulled off an excellent point-blank save.
Saints seemed to find a bit more impetus after the restart, with danger man Weatherston charging down the right hand side and crossing well, without any takers in the box. Seconds later Hardie again found the young right winger, but Tuffey just managed to break up the attack as it looked promising. However Partick weren't done yet and it was Buchanan again causing problems, jinking along the Saints back line before letting fly from 18 yards, inches wide. Stevie Murray came into his own with some wonderful skill to dazzle the Saints right-hand side but again the strikers couldn't finish off his good work. Ryan McStay floated a free kick to Strachan, who shot straight at the Saints defenders rushing onwards, but a misunderstanding found Main almost stranded in the box, and only a bad miss from Buchanan saved Saints' blushes. Owen Coyle switched things in attack, withdrawing Stewart and Moon, with Jackson and MacDonald combining up front - Weatherston and Hardie retreating to more orthodox midfield roles after trying to push forward more earlier on. The change didn't stop the Partick tide though, this time defender Harkins blasted one from fully 35 yards, nearly catching Main off his line. Gary Irvine was caught in possession too, leaving Murray free to run and shoot - hitting the far post when he looked destined to score the opener. Jackson tried hard to hold the ball up and get things moving, and indeed he won a free kick on 70 minutes which led to a corner. From the resulting kick, Steven Anderson was convinced he had scored the opening goal, but had his celebrations interrupted by referee McCurry for an infringement. Partick had more chances and the bulk of the possession, but Saints could have sewn up the tie in two frantic minutes at the end - firstly from a Sheerin corner which Anderson couldn't quite force home; then from another corner seconds later, Jackson's superb ball across the face of the goal proved a yard too far for Hardie's despairing lunge.
Extra time then, and it was pretty even, although neither side looked like they were willing or able to avert spot-kicks. However Paul Sheerin did cause a grandstand finish with minutes remaining, with a rare right-footed shot which appeared to go out for a corner, although the referee disagreed. Jackson had a magnificent spin to lose his defender and sprinted upfield, but despite teeing up Sheerin and Hardie in the box, neither could find an end product.
And once again Saints found themselves at the mercy of penalties, shooting towards the empty end at Firhill. Chaplain, Buchanan, Hardie and Sheerin all scored for their respective sides before Murray ruined his man of the match award with a bad miss. MacDonald looked to have put Saints closer to the next round before Jackson had his kick saved by Tuffey. Rowson's good spot-kick made it sudden death, and a cool-as-you-like chip shot from McCluskey restored parity. However Archibald and Irvine went on to find their shots saved, and after Connor put Partick ahead again, it was down to skipper McInnes to keep things going - but his kick sailed a yard wide of the keeper's left hand post.
Ryan McStay
Paul Keegan
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