The Thistle Archive

Media report

06-Feb-2002, bbc.com

JAGS STING DUNDEE. High-flying Partick Thistle upset the odds with a thoroughly deserved Scottish Cup win over Dundee at Dens Park. After a draw at Firhill in the original tie, many fancied the SPL side to take advantage on home soil, but the First Division leaders had different ideas. A glorious goal from Gerry Brittion put John Lambie's men in front only for Juan Sara to equalise from the penalty spot. With time running out, Dundee defender Fan Zhiyi was sent off and teenage substitute Andy Gibson popped up with the winning strike three minutes from the end to set up a quarter final tie with Inverness Caley Thistle. Dundee made two changes from the side which lost to Rangers at Ibrox at the weekend. The Dark Blues drafted in recent signing Khaled Kemas in place of Alessandro Romano and replaced Fabian Caballero with youngster Steven Milne. Jags manager John Lambie made three changes to his side after Saturday's draw in the top-of-the-table clash with Airdrie. Scott Paterson missed out through injury and was replaced by Patrick Kelly, while Paul Walker and Derek Fleming were drafted in at the expense of Scott McLean and the cup-tied Alex Burns.

Partick started the brighter of the two sides and had the SPL side on the back foot for much of the opening period. But the Jags were nearly caught out when Temuri Ketsbaia picked up the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a low drive which whistled narrowly past the post. Britton found himself unmarked on the edge of the box once Danny Lennon had split the Dundee defence with a 7th minute pass but the striker shot hopelessly wide from a good position. Thistle took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute and did so in spectacular style. Paul Walker caught a hopeful ball upfield and backheeled into the path of Britton, who juggled with the ball and chipped it over a defender's head before lashing it into the net with his left foot from 20 yards. Dundee had Julian Speroni to thank minutes later when James McKinstry cut open their defence with a perfectly weighted ball. Walker beat Chinese international Fan Zhiyi in a sprint but could only shoot into the chest of the onrushing goalkeeper. Dundee made two changes in the first half - Beto Carranza stayed down after a clash with Alan Archibald and was replaced by Mark Robertson and Sara was brought on in favour of Kemas in the 38th minute. Kenny Arthur was called into action when David MacKay unleashed a tremendous volley on goal.

Dundee were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute when Sara was pulled back in the box by Stephen Craigan. Sara stepped up and slotted the ball into the left hand corner of the net for the equaliser. With five minutes remaining, Fan Zhiyi was shown a second yellow card and the home side were reduced to ten men. The visitors took full advantage of their numerical advantage and, with 87 minutes gone, teenage substitute Gibson stole in to score the winner.

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