The Thistle Archive

Partick Thistle claimed their first win in this season's Scottish League Cup with a dominant display against second-tier St Mirren. Kris Doolan's strike, two from Steven Lawless and Blair Spittal's free-kick put the Premiership side in command by half-time. Thistle had Abdul Osman sent off before Spittal netted his second. Also in Group H, leaders Livingston beat Airdrieonians with goals by Dylan Mackin and Craig Halkett. Livi have eight points after three games while Thistle, who lost a penalty shootout to the leaders last week, have four points. Airdrie and St Mirren have three points each while Stranraer, who were not playing in this weekend's first-round group fixtures, have no points.

Though they would be overwhelmed by their hosts, St Mirren could have taken the lead when Jordan Kirkpatrick's powerful long-range shot required a save from Tomas Cerny. Thistle soon moved into the ascendancy, but there was a degree of fortune about their opener. Spittal nodded the ball through for Doolan, who looked suspiciously offside, and the striker slotted past Ross Stewart. Lawless played a one-two with Chris Erskine before thrashing a low shot into the far corner from the left of the box and Lawless' second was a delightful sweep into the same corner from the edge of the box. Spittal's free-kick was struck from a similar distance as Stewart was this time beaten to his right. It was the former Dundee United midfielder's first goal since moving to Firhill. Jags captain Osman was booked twice in quick succession for fouls on St Mirren skipper Stephen McGinn but it did not interrupt the hosts' rhythm. They got their fifth with a stunning counter attack. Doolan released Erskine on the left and he beat his man before finding Spittal with an inviting low cross that the midfielder struck crisply and confidently past Stewart. St Mirren sought consolation but McGinn and Ian McShane were denied by Cerny.

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald:

It was a good performance - you could see the difference having Abdul and Callum Booth back in the side today. It made for a lot of good play. I don't know where the performance ranks in my time here but it was very similar to our Championship-winning team when we first got promoted. There was a lot of similar play and sometimes it just clicks. Some of the one, two touches were exquisite.

St Mirren manager Jack Ross:

Our performance was very poor, I thought Partick's was good. When you have that combination of performances from a Premiership team and a Championship team then the outcome is the one it was today. We didn't do the fundamentals that'll give you a chance to win a football match anywhere near well enough. First and foremost, you have to be competitive and you have to have a desire about your play and a hunger and we didn't have that. We were short in that by a long way today and that was why we lost the game so heavily.

bbc.com

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