The Thistle Archive

Media report

A lot of people appear none too bothered about the League Challenge Cup, but considering Thistle had not won either of their opening two matches, this game took on added significance. That Thistle managed to lose control of a game that they had firmly in their grasp once again tells a tale.

After the poor defeat against Stirling Albion in the Coca Cola, John McVeigh freshened things up. Out went Callum Milne, Robert Connor and Alex Martin with Stephen Tait, Gareth Evans and 16 year-old Jamie McKenzie getting the nod. Indeed, it was to be a rather good evening for Jamie, who was easily the star man for the Jags. Despite enjoying much the better of things earlier on, it was Gary O’Connor who did ever so well to deny Jose Quitongo when clean through on goal. Thistle did take the lead on 23 minutes with Peter Heatherston finally getting his opening goal for the club. After having a penalty saved in the first match and seen a header sensationally saved against Stirling, it was only fitting that this one went in, a crisp 16 yard volley from an Ally Graham flick on.

Despite that goal, there was not much more activity in and around the home goal, although Scott McCulloch had to be at his best to prevent Jamie McKenzie from opening his account when nimble footwork took him past three defenders. Other chances in the opening half were few and far between, a Ritchie free-kick for the homesters going just wide.

John McVeigh had to make a change at the interval when Billy Macdonald was unable to continue, his place going to Alan Archibald. However, the warning signs came as Jim Sherry brought out another good save from O’Connor with a 22-yard shot. Thistle’s only response was once again a McKenzie effort, his lob over Ferguson looked good for goal until Chris Hillcoat headed off the line. Meanwhile the little Angolan winger Quitongo was beginning to get going and the feeling was that he must be contained if we were to hold on for the win. Charlie Adams replaced Ally Graham, but our luck ran out when a Quitongo shot was going nowhere, it somehow reached Paul Ritchie and he stroked it into the net from close range.

The game really opened up after this and both sides could have scored on several occasions. Paul Ritchie fired over from close range. Alan Archibald headed wide from good position, Jimmy Boyle saw his free-kick touched away for a corner, and Andy Lyons had a splendid run and shot which was brilliantly touched away for a corner.

As extra-time loomed it was going to take something odd or special to win the game and was certainly an odd goal that won Hamilton the tie. Charlie Adams gave away possession to Eddie Cunnington whose long range effort was going nowhere but ended up at the feet of Paul Ritchie and he raced in on goal. It looked as if O’Connor had averted the danger by diving at this feet but the ball squirmed loose and Ritchie picked himself up to reach the ball first and fire into the unguarded net.

Alex Martin was introduced for Gregg Watson and almost scored with his first touch, a lob not directed well enough, but still we kept battling and man of the match McKenzie almost snatched a deserved draw, his effort being blocked by Ferguson with Archibald driving the rebound wide of the target, and that was that as far as the League Challenge Cup goes.

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