16th Jul 2012 Ayr United 1 Partick Thistle 4 (Friendly)

matches:2012-13: ← 01game 0203 →

Match Information

			former Jag Mark Roberts		Jackie McNamara			38y, 8m, 22d
					David Rowson; Mark McGuigan; Christie Elliott
					Stephen O'Donnell; Kris Doolan; Chris Erskine
Joel Kasubandi (1-1, 34 mins)					Sean Welsh (1-0, 8 mins); Steven Lawless (2-1, 76 mins); Christie Elliott (3-1, 81 mins); Steven Lawless (4-1, 85 mins)
none (1-1, 34 mins)					Steven Lawless (1-0, 8 mins); Chris Erskine (2-1, 76 mins); ? (3-1, 81 mins); ? (4-1, 85 mins)
					? (Kris Doolan); ? (Chris Erskine); ? (Stephen O'Donnell); ? (Aaron Taylor-Sinclair); ? (Bradley Halsman)
			Trialist		Scott Fox			25y, 0m, 18d
			Alan Murdoch		Aaron Muirhead			21y, 10m, 16d
			Trialist		Stuart Bannigan			19y, 9m, 29d
			Martyn Campbell		Paul Paton			25y, 2m, 28d
			Austin McCann		David Rowson			35y, 10m, 2d
			Trialist		Alan Archibald			34y, 7m, 3d
			future Jag Robbie Crawford		Steven Lawless			21y, 3m, 4d
			former Jag Ryan McStay		Sean Welsh			22y, 4m, 1d
			Joel Kasubandi		Mark McGuigan			23y, 8m, 9d
			Trialist		Christie Elliott			21y, 1m, 20d
			Trialist		Hugh Murray			33y, 6m, 8d
								25y, 10m, 6d
			Bobby McLatchie		James Wightman			18y, 5m, 0d
			Ross Robertson		Kris Doolan			25y, 7m, 5d
			former Jag John A. Robertson		Chris Erskine			25y, 5m, 8d
			Jack Longridge		Stephen O'Donnell			20y, 2m, 5d
			Steven Hutchinson		Aaron Taylor-Sinclair			21y, 3m, 8d
			Roddy Paterson		Bradley Halsman			19y, 3m, 4d
			Aaron Wyllie
			Mark Shankland
			former Jag Mark Roberts

notes

Joel Kasubandi played as a trialist for United. DUC notes: “I have a load of detail on this match but don't have a note of the attendance.”

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: What was the attendance? Who assisted for Thistle? Could you help fill in our substitution details? Please do get in touch → if you can assist in any way!

Match Report

TTA report

Lawless set up Welsh for the opening goal (8) but Ayr scored (34) when Rowson lost possession in mid-field. Lawless made it 2-1 (76) then Elliott scored with a shot from the edge of the box (81). Lawless got his 2nd with a 20-yard strike (85). The winning margin was a fair reflection of Thistle's superiority.

Media report

16-Jul-2012, ptfc.co.uk

Thistle eased themselves to victory over Ayr United, who defeated SPL Motherwell 4-0 at the same venue at the weekend, at Somerset Park tonight. The goals that ultimately separated the sides may have come late in the game but this victory was every bit as comfortable as the score line suggests it was.

As they did against Alloa last midweek, Thistle dominated almost the entire first 45 minute but unlike the Alloa match they were unable to take a lead into the dressing room at the interval. They did, however, open the scoring in the 8th minute. It was a simple, well taken goal and one that provided a hint of further scoring to come. Steven Lawless was able to set up Sean Welsh. The midfielder took a touch to steady himself before slotting the ball past Brown in the Ayr goal. Thistle continued to create chances and the outcome of the match could well have been settled by the midway point in the first half. Mark McGuigan opened his scoring account for Thistle at this venue last season and he really should have netted another Somerset Park goal this evening. He found himself in behind the Ayr defence with only the keeper to beat but could do no better than lob a weak effort into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper. The keeper was a little more pressed to keep out and effort from Christie Elliott and he again was forced to produce a fine save to tip an effort from Steven Lawless over the crossbar. Scott Fox at this point had scarcely a save to make but he was beaten in the 34th minute. It was a poor goal for Thistle to lose. The pitch appeared a little sticky but whether that was any factor in David Rowson, playing in the centre of defence, gifting possession to Ayr trialist Kasubandi is debatable. Kasubandi was left with a clear run at the Thistle goal and his well struck shot left Fox with no chance of preventing Ayr from drawing level with their only noteworthy effort on goal of the first 45 minutes.

Five minutes after the restart Christie Elliott was desperately unlucky not to re-establish Thistle’s lead, his first time shot from an Aaron Muirhead cross striking the base of the Ayr post. This was becoming a typical low key pre-season friendly but the better football continued to come from Thistle. Stuart Bannigan tested Ally Brown with a low drive before Aaron Sinclair, one of the many substitutes who came on during the course of the second half, did likewise. In the 76th minute Thistle were back in front. Aaron Sinclair’s quickly taken throw in was collected from Chris Erskine and his low cross was gathered by Steven Lawless who tucked the ball home. Five minutes later the score started to give a truer reflection of the passage of play with Christie Elliott finding the net with a low shot from the edge of the box. A fourth goal followed just three minutes later. Steven Lawless has been in fine goal scoring form during pre-season so far and he netted his second goal of the night from 20 yards out. There was even hint of a fifth goal for Thistle. Aaron Sinclair was able to steal in behind the Ayr defence to meet a cross from the right. Although having time and space, Sinclair wasn’t able make proper contact with his header and the ball went wide of goal. The only moment of slight anxiety for Thistle on an otherwise positive evening was an ankle knock picked up by Aaron Sinclair in the closing stages who, as a precaution, took no further part in proceedings.

Gallery

We're looking for a reliable (and free) solution that will enable us to embed photo galleries from the image hosting site, Flickr, so please get in touch → if you can help. Meantime, you can check Donald Wilson's excellent gallery by clicking on the image below; visit Flickr directly for the full gallery

Stats Watch

ongoing sequences:

● 36 consecutive competitive appearances for Chris Erskine, 27th Aug 2011 to date. (Longest run since: Paul Cairney - 40 games, 30th Jul 2011 to 28th Apr 2012. 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.

.

match hubs