The Thistle Archive

Steve Doyle, 30-Nov-2020, montrosefc.co.uk

Manager Stewart Petrie shuffled his squad for this tough looking fixture with centre backs Waddell and Dillon restored to the starting line up and the vast experience of Watson in midfield with Fleming in goal. For Partick Thistle it was the experienced Brian Graham up front with ‘Sena’ Niang at centre back and only four on the bench though that included Blair Lyons who in the event did not get onto the pitch. Referee Kevin Graham started the game with Thistle choosing to kick towards the Dynamo end on a sunny but cold day. The first threat came from Montrose as a long ball to Webster was just too long as he found space in the centre of the box. Seconds later it looked like McLean was fouled in the box but instead referee Graham adjudged it simulation and showed a yellow card instead. Still only 6 minutes gone and the hosts conceded a soft but well taken goal. A corner by Cardle was hit short to the near post and first met by the diving Docherty but at point blank range Fleming kept it out only for it to fall kindly for CONNOR MURRAY who forced it home from short range via a few deflections to make it 1-0. All to do now for Montrose against a sharp and hard-working Thistle side. A Steeves shot was blocked then a Milne shot was well covered by keeper Wright. Thistle were fast down both flanks and that restricted similar play by Montrose but with both sides having equal possession Thistle looked to have the more cutting edge. Another Milne effort flew too high then Waddell saved the day as a Docherty effort was hacked away. 30 minutes gone and Steeves and Mochrie down the left gave McLean a chance but his header under pressure went wide but it was McLean again before half-time when Webster crossed but it was just behind the big striker whose chip went wide. The last action of a fairly even first half saw Dillon hit a 50-yard free kick onto the roof of the Thistle net with Wright off his line. Thistle probably just about were value for their 1-0 half-time lead.

Following a sliding tackle just outside his own box Watson gave away a free kick in a dangerous position and saw yellow for his efforts. Fortunately Docherty hit the free kick wide. Thistle looked to seal the game but at only 1-0 the game could easily turn. Waddell was next to see yellow as he went into the back of Graham yet similar tackles by Thistle went unpunished and you could sense the frustration in the Montrose players. Thistle continued to dominate midfield but Montrose defended well before making a change on 68 minutes when McLean was replaced by the pace of Johnston and Watson replaced by Cochrane. Then perhaps the best chance for Montrose as Steeves in the centre of the box put a great chance over the top when normally you would expect him to hit the target. Twenty to go and a Thistle change saw Murray replaced by Gordon as they still searched for the killer second goal. Ross Campbell replaced Waddell with ten to go and another chance went begging as Campbell’s diving header flew over the top. Callaghan replaced Milne on 82 minutes. Montrose had done well to stay in a close game whilst not dominating it and to their credit threw everything at Thistle in the dying minutes with nothing to lose. Thistle still pressed forward and a flurry of four yellow cards followed as tempers flared and referee Graham didn’t have time to put the first card back in his pocket as Docherty followed Cammy B, Campbell was next and then Penrice all on 90 minutes as time stood still whilst referee Graham regained control. It stayed at 1-0 and despite a spirited Montrose display it always looked to fall short and although a slice of luck might have fallen their way – it didn’t as Thistle left for home with a bag full of points.

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall, via ptfc.co.uk

That’s three clean sheets in a row now and a very good defensive showing today again. I mean, it’s no secret that we’re down to the bare bones but it’s a win. I do think we could have made the game more comfortable especially in that last ten minutes. Ross Docherty, Brian Graham, Shea Gordon and Joe Cardle all had opportunities to make it 2-0 but I have to say Montrose are a very good side with a good young manager and they played well. To compete at the top of the league you’ve got to be able to come to places like Montrose on a cold November day on the AstroTurf and get three points and we’ve done that which we’re delighted with. Sena was terrific again and Richard Foster was praising him at full time because that’s now two top performances in a row from him. Also, to see Kieran Wright come and collect that high ball in the last minute – it was excellent – he’s been a real find for us. You can’t understate how important that win was for the club. There are still three more games until the end of the first third of games so hopefully we can continue this momentum against Dumbarton at home next week.

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INCREDIBLE CLEAN-SHEET RUN CONTINUES

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