The Thistle Archive

Media report

PARTICK, with Chic Charnley pulling the strings, showed no mercy to managerless Brechin, whose players must be wishing that the rest of their season will not be like the first four days. Thistle, scorers of 11 goals against Albion Rovers at this stage last year, displayed their desire for another convincing victory over lower league opponents with a goal after 14 minutes. Clever build-up work from Derek McWilliams and Charnley released David Byrne on the right, and when his cross was touched on by Roddy Grant, Alex Taylor came in at the back post to send a header looping over the keeper. Thistle added a second when central defender Willie Jamieson fired home in 36 minutes after a Tom Smith shot had been blocked.

Thistle were rampant by this stage and Charnley was outstanding, scoring the next three goals. He struck in 44 minutes when he curled a free kick over the visitors’ wall from 25 yards. The midfield player then repeated his free-kick endeavours only to see the woodwork save Brechin. However, when McWilliams was bundled to the ground by Nicholson in the box in 71 minutes, Charnley stepped up and blasted the ball home. Thistle assistant manager Gerry Collins, watching from the directors’ box, saw Charnley complete his hat trick in injury time, when his drive was deflected past keeper Balfour.

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