 Media report |
Thistle rescued all three points at Firhill, coming from behind to defeat Greenock Morton 3-2 at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill in the Scottish Championship. New Morton manager Ian Murray watched on from the stands, as interim gaffer, and former Jags defender, Gary Miller took charge of the team. There was one change from the squad that drew away to Queen’s Park last week, as Oisin Smyth, who picked up a red card at The city Stadium, being replaced by Tony Watt, as Mark Wilson switched to a 4-4-2.
Thistle looked the livelier early on, with the first real chance coming five minutes in as Tony Watt forced Morton keeper James Storer into a clever save. Seconds later, Chalmers had the ball at his feet, going for goal from the edge of the box, but his shot sailed over. The opening twenty minutes saw little in the way of goalmouth action after that, as the frosty conditions made the ball difficult to control for either side. On 21 minutes, Aidan Fitzpatrick tried a first time effort from outside the box. However, as the winger leant back, his shot cleared the bar. Morton then raced up the other end, exploiting the Thistle high line. Michael O’Halloran forged a path through, laying the ball off to Michael Garrity on the edge of the area. From there, Garrity beat his man and slotted home into the bottom left corner to give Morton the lead despite concerted Thistle pressure. The unflappable Jags continued to attack though, looking for a quick leveller. A two minute period saw Thistle earn no less than four corners as Morton’s defence scrambled to clear a number of balls swung into the box. Most dangerous was the initial set piece, with the ball dropping to Watt, only for his effort to be turned round the post by Storer.
Morton continued to threaten on the counter though. On 31 minutes, Garrity delivered a dangerous cross to the back post area which was volley back across goal by Zak Delaney from a tight angle with Lee Ashcroft required to head off the line, Three minutes later, the Harry Wraggs won a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the box. However, Chalmers’ effort didn’t dip enough to trouble the visitors’ goal. Up the other end, Eamonn Brophy came closing to setting up a Morton second as his low cross found Arron Lyall at the back post but the sliding midfielder couldn’t make telling contact. Brophy would then try to catch Jags keeper Josh Clarke off guard with a shot from the halfway line. As Clarke rushed back to his goal to clear the effort though, it sailed comfortably wide. The ex-Kilmarnock forward made use of a much more likely scoring position moments later when Aaron Comrie’s deflected cross was headed down into the six-yard box by Cammy Blues. Brophy was unmarked as he lifted the ball over Josh Clarke to make it 2-0. Morton’s 2-0 half time lead was a fair outcome from a first half where Thistle had the lion’s share of the ball, but were stung by Morton’s lethality on the break.
During the interval, Mark Wilson switched things up by bringing Kyle Turner on for Aidan Fitzpatrick and altering the formation. The changes paid immediate dividends, with the Jags reducing the deficit four minutes after the restart. An initial shot from Ben Stanway was blocked by his own teammate, but the ball ricocheted back to the feet of the 21 year old, who blasted home to half the arrears. Now chasing an equaliser, Thistle were relentless in attack, as Morton were penned into their own end for most of the second half. On the hour, the Harry Wraggs looked destined to equalise when Chalmers jinked his way through multiple tackles, getting himself deep into the box. The wideman’s route was blocked only for the ball to parry into the path of Watt, who was unable to force the ball into the net. Watt was once again involved in the box seven minutes later, when his shirt was pulled inside the box by Kris Moore and referee Sean Murdoch awarded the Jags a penalty kick. Unfortunately for the Maryhill Men, Chalmers sent his spot kick to Storer’s left, and the effort was easily saved by the Morton keeper.
On 72 minutes, a botched Morton clearance was deflected towards Turner, who pounced on the loose ball, but his one-on-one skied over the bar. Turner soon made amends though, five minutes later, beautifully curling the ball beyond the reach of Storer to draw Thistle level. From there, it was the Alamo for Morton as Thistle flung everything but the kitchen sink at them, now looking for the winner. A goalmouth scramble in stoppage time had hearts in mouths as both Paddy Reading and Alex Samuel had efforts blocked on the line, but Thistle would get that valuable third goal when Tony Watt popped up in the 94th minute. Bringing the ball into the Morton box on the left-hand side, Watt shifted infield and fired a ferocious shot across goal into the far corner to secure a vastly deserved three points and spark scenes of delirium inside The Wyre Stadium at Firhill. The victory ensures we keep pace with league leaders St Johnstone, whose 1-0 win over Arbroath preserved the five point advantage they have at the top of the table. We return to action on Tuesday night, again at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill, as we take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the last 16 of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
 Reaction |
Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson (speaking to the media c/o
'The Thistle' 
):
We had to right a few wrongs that went on in the first half and there was a general frustration from us in and out of possession. We gave up too many opportunities actually in the first half, too many transitional moments and we looked unsure at things. At that point, during half time, obviously you need to change and try and get the best out of the players that are on the pitch and make a few adjustments. We changed the shape, but purely on the players, how they then take the information on and drive it through. And again, even when they get back to 2-2, it is easy, isn't it, to think the job's done here and we've got ourselves out of a hole, but we kept pushing and I'm delighted for them, I really am, because after having such disappointment in that 45 minutes, it's hard, I've been there before, where you think it's not our day. There's a real strong mentality in the guys, especially here at home where we didn't want to lose this good record we're on at home. So really, really pleased and they should take huge credit for digging themselves out of the hole. Today it feels much more than just three points, it felt much more like a real good kickstart to the year and I'm delighted for the fans who stuck behind us.
Tsoanelo Letsosa
Scott Martin
