28th Jul 2018 Partick Thistle 0 Ayr United 2 (League Cup Group E - game 4)

matches:2018-19: ← 04game 0506 →

Match Information

41y, 0m, 15d			Alan Archibald		Ian McCall former Jag / man.
Niall Keown; Chris Erskine
Tam O'Ware; Jack Storer
					Michael Moffat (0-1, 6 mins); Lawrence Shankland (0-2, 66 mins)
					Lawrence Shankland (0-1, 6 mins); Andy Murdoch (0-2, 66 mins)
Andy McCarthy
Kris Doolan (Jack Storer, 60 mins); Craig Slater (Andy McCarthy, 63 mins); Blair Spittal (Aidan Fitzpatrick, 76 mins)					Alan Forrest (Craig McGuffie, 71 mins); Michael Rose (Steven Bell, 73 mins); Michael Moffat (Declan McDaid, 81 mins)
31y, 10m, 10d			Cammy Bell		Ross Doohan
27y, 2m, 2d			Christie Elliott		Daniel Harvie
19y, 7m, 6d			James Penrice		Mark Kerr former Jag
23y, 3m, 23d			Niall Keown		Michael Rose
24y, 11m, 17d			Sean McGinty		Michael Moffat
20y, 2m, 12d			Shea Gordon		Robbie Crawford future Jag
24y, 3m, 2d			Craig Slater		Alan Forrest
22y, 7m, 9d			Blair Spittal		David Ferguson
31y, 7m, 17d			Kris Doolan		Jamie Adams former Jag
31y, 5m, 20d			Chris Erskine		Lawrence Shankland
24y, 6m, 24d			Miles Storey		Andy Murdoch
25y, 7m, 7d
17y, 4m, 15d			Jamie Stevenson		Ellis Hare-Reid
25y, 4m, 8d			Tam O'Ware		Declan McDaid former Jag
20y, 6m, 26d			Jack Storer		Craig McGuffie
19y, 9m, 4d			Max Melbourne		Steven Bell future Jag
19y, 9m, 8d			Andy McCarthy		Ross Docherty future Jag
19y, 1m, 5d			Callum Wilson		Luke McCowan
17y, 4m, 8d			Aidan Fitzpatrick

notes

Thistle generally in playing order, opposition in squad number order. Ayr United filled only 6 of their 7 allocated bench slots.

Match Report

TTA report

Good start, nothing to show for it. Unbelievably, Elliott skilfully dribbled along his own by-line and set up the opener (6). Lots of possession and corners came to nothing and Ayr's keeper was an onlooker. A wonderful lob from 40+ yards (66) saw Thistle off. Desperately short of quality, Thistle got off lightly.

Media report

Lochlin Highet, 28-Jul-2018, Daily Record

Impressive Ayr United made it 12 points from 12 after putting lacklustre Partick Thistle to the sword. Ian McCall's side breezed through the game, and a Michael Moffat strike and a stunning Lawrence Shankland effort meant that the Honest Men topped the group and will be seeded in the last 16 for the second year in a row.

A Partick header was goal-bound after four minutes, but goal king Lawrence Shankland was the hero at the other end with a vital goal-line clearance. And just a minute later United were up the other end - as Michael Moffat knocked in a close-range finish after a mazy run from Robbie Crawford. And Ayr fans were celebrating after 17 minutes when a Shankland free-kick flew just past the post - but from the away end it looked as if it had flown into the top corner. After 20 minutes United had another wonderful chance when Shankland slipped Moffat through on goal, but Cammy Bell pulled off a good save from the effort. Just two minutes later the Honest Men could have doubled their lead when Shankland fired a shot across goal, but Moffat couldn't get the vital touch. Partick had a great chance after the half-hour mark, when Blair Spittal fired a header just over the bar. And just two minutes later Shea Gordon found himself in acres of space, but his shot was easily saved well by Ross Doohan.

Five minutes into the second half Shankland curled a shot just wide of the post as he attempted to double Ayr's lead. And just a few minutes later Shankland had another shot after great play from Alan Forrest, but Shankland fired over. Just after the hour mark Shankland burst through Partick's defence and knocked the ball back to Moffat, who's shot went straight at Cammy Bell. And Shankland was finally rewarded after 66 minutes. He was given the ball from Moffat 40 yards out and spotted Bell off his line and smashed a volley straight over him in stunning fashion. With just minutes left on the clock Partick's Miles Storey had a chance put on a plate for him, but somehow put a header wide from three yards.

Reaction

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald (speaking to Jagzone):

The first five minutes were positive and we looked dangerous. However, we then concede a quite ridiculous goal and suddenly don’t look as good and everything slowed down. We took a while to get back into the game and didn’t really work the goalkeeper enough from that point on which was very disappointing because we had plenty of possession. We were alright in possession in the first half but still only created half chances. Overall, we didn’t move the ball quickly enough and our decision-making was all wrong at times; epitomised by the opener. Ayr were disciplined and because we took too long to move the ball, they were able to get back into shape easily which made it extremely tough to score. We knew that a win would put it beyond any doubt but we didn’t perform today. Everyone knew the situation and now it comes down to one game where we need a certain result which is not nice considering it was all in our hands ahead of today. We’ve let ourselves down and have to hold our hands up to take the blame.

Scrapbook

magnifiable if deemed necessary by your browser

Sunday Mail, 29th July, 2018

Sunday Post, 29th July, 2018

Video Highlights

(credit: ayrunitedfctv )

advertisement

the ultimate destination for the best and latest Thistle multimedia content, from live audio commentary to the latest video interviews and tactical analysis…

…only £7.99 per month

Stats Watch

LEAGUE CUP RUN ENDS

● Niall Keown makes his 50th competitive appearance as a Jag.

● James Penrice, Sean McGinty and Shea Gordon emerge from the League Cup group stage as the last men standing in terms of 100% competitive game time in 2018-19.

● Thistle's club-record run of 17 League Cup group games without defeat since August 1982 comes to an end.

ongoing sequences:

● 14 consecutive competitive appearances for Blair Spittal, 31st Mar 2018 to date. (Longest run since: Baily Cargill - 19 games; 23rd Jan 2018 to 20th May 2018. Club-record: Johnny Jackson - 313 games; 28th Aug 1926 to 25th Mar 1933.)

● 49 games since back-to-back League wins, 11th Mar 2017 to date. (Longest run since: 71 games; 16th Apr 2013 to 14th Mar 2015. Club-record: 77 games; 2nd Nov 1912 to 5th Dec 1914.)

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

advertisement

Partick Thistle: A People’s History celebrates 150 years of the club through the eyes of the fans. It will be a superb addition to your Thistle collection, expertly curated and edited by Kenny Pieper, a real heart and soul effort from the author and the contributors (the fans).

• The book is set to be published in August 2026, each of the first editions uniquely numbered.
• Pre-order your limited edition copy and add your own dedication or message (up to 500 words).
• A labour of love - all royalties to the club.

Buy now: £18.76 (genius pricing!) from ptfc.co.uk