The Thistle Archive

Media report

SOMETHING spooky went on at McDiarmid Park. While St Johnstone’s 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle offered bright fun and good value, the hidden influence seemed to be at work. Only in the second half did it become possible to fancy what it might be. The effect was to make a jolly encounter also ghostly. Perhaps Thistle’s jersey numbers heightened the sense of mystery. They appeared to have been daubed on in washable ink. So their No.8 looked more like a nine than did their No.9. Gordon Chisholm’s No.4 was less a numeral than a piece of ectoplasm. Also contributing to the general eeriness was how the Perth stadium becomes an echo chamber when fewer than 4500 fans are counted into it. A more palpable cause of the strangeness was how St Johnstone kept pumping the ball in the premature direction of a new colleague who, although on the club’s books, was not on the park.

The first appearance of Gudmundur Torfason, the Iceland internationalist formerly of St Mirren, had been delayed for the completion of his re-employment papers. His new mates, however, kept playing high punts towards goal in anticipation of where Torfason’s head will soon be, but not yet. Meanwhile, Partick Thistle plugged away gamely with their listed personnel. Their goal by Colin McGlashan early in the first half was not equalled by Paul Wright until early in the second. Then the feeling arose that, one way or the other, there was going to be a winner. A phantom third goal hung over the lush sward. Whatever God was supervising, the match had it in his gift. But at which end?

On plain merit, St Johnstone deserved a win when they started to use their midfield and play along the ground. But they met a serious obstacle in the boyish reflexes and plucky obstinacy of Craig Nelson in Thistle’s goal. Twice he thwarted Wright, soaring to stop a 25-yard screamer to a top corner of the net after he had earlier flapped around Wright’s feet to win possession. In one instance Nelson resembled an eagle, and in the other was more like Donald Duck. He (Nelson, that is, not DD) made one serious mistake in leaving his line and putting himself in the position of being able only to look over his shoulder as a header by Allen Moore went outside a post. Thistle’s best bid for the extra spooky goal brought out a double save by Andy Rhodes from the tireless Gerry Britton. Probably, it was at that point that fickle destiny changed its mind and took the decider away. Torfason’s work permit is expected to be ready for St Johnstone’s Skol Cup tie on Wednesday at Alloa.

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