The Thistle Archive

Media report

14-Dec-2002, bbc.com

HEARTS LATE SHOW STINGS THISTLE. A last minute goal from Alan Maybury gave Hearts maximum points against brave Partick Thistle at Tynecastle. The defender popped up in the Jags' penalty box during the last attack of a game full of chances to volley home in fine style. The home side dominated much of the game and Thistle keeper Kenny Arthur made several excellent saves. However, the Glasgow side created some good openings of their own and will feel hard done by after holding on for so long.

Hearts carved out the first opening in the third minute when Gary Wales seized on a Daniele Chiarini slip-up but his low drive was well held by Arthur. Stephen Simmons was the next home player to try his luck but fired a powerful shot just wide of the post. The visitors went close in the 13th minute with an Alex Burns free-kick that curled just inches over the crossbar from a tight angle. Hearts went even closer two minutes later when Neil Macfarlane fed Mark de Vries and the Dutchman's cross came off the post and flew across the face of goal, but nobody in a maroon shirt was following up. With the home side well on top, Wales the tried to catch Arthur off-guard in the 25th minute with a right-foot shot from 22 yards, but the keeper got down well to turn the ball around the post. Hearts defender Kevin McKenna rose highest to get on the end of Jean-Louis Valois corner, but headed wide from just five yards. Partick had the ball in the back of the net on the half-hour mark but Burns was ruled offside. Stephane Mahe then tried an audacious long-range effort but Arthur was right behind it to make the save. The Partick keeper produced an even better save in the 40th minute to tip De Vries' shot on the turn to safety.

Soon after the interval Burns got the break of the ball in the Hearts penalty area but snatched his shot horribly wide. Valois then warmed the fingertips of Arthur with a free kick and De Vries headed the resultant corner high over the bar from a good position. The battling Jags were unfortunate not to snatch the lead on the hour when Gerry Britton did well to control and hook David Lilley's pass into the danger area and Burns climbed well but saw his looping header come back off the crossbar. Burns had the ball in the net for a second time but was again flagged for offside. An almighty goalmouth scramble in the dying minutes saw Arthur perform heroics at the feet of Andy Kirk just a yard or so out. Played raged to the other end and Hearts keeper Roddy McKenzie pulled off a flying save after the ball had been headed off his goal line by defender Stephan Mahe. Then, right on the stroke of the final whistle, Maybury popped up to smash home the winner.

advertisement

.