The Thistle Archive

Media report

08-Feb-2003, bbc.com

JAGS HOLD OVER DONS CONTINUES. Partick Thistle recorded their third win of the season over Aberdeen, who continue to frustrate their supporters with their Jekyll and Hyde performances. Alex Burns did the damage for Thistle with a fine opportunist goal early in the first half. Phil McGuire missed a penalty before half time and there was further bad news for Dons boss Steve Paterson when Jamie McAllister was sent off two minutes before the end. But the three points were no more than Thistle deserved for a spirited and organised display.

The home side had made the more enterprising and threatening start to the game, but it was the visitors who took the lead in 13 minutes. Jamie McAllister's throw-in was intercepted by Martin Hardie and his pass was flicked on by Gerry Britton into the path of Burns, who stole in behind the Dons defence for his 13th league goal of the season, prodding the ball beyond David Preece. Aberdeen tried to counter and captain Russell Anderson headed over from close range following a corner. They came even closer after 20 minutes when Kevin Rutkiewicz found space to shoot, only to see his effort clip the bar. Paul Sheerin had a powerful shot well saved by Kenny Arthur before the home side were handed the chance to draw level in 33 minutes when a crude challenge by Stephen Craigan on Leon Mike inside the box was penalised by referee Stuart Dougal. Arthur, though, came to Thistle's rescue with a fine save from Phil McGuire's penalty kick.

Into the second half, Britton fashioned the first decent chance for himself, but his effort from the edge of the box was comfortably dealt with by Preece. Darren Mackie had Aberdeen's first shot of the half, but it was a weak one that failed to trouble Arthur. Burns, whose confidence is sky-high at the moment, attempted to test Preece again from a free kick awarded just outside the Aberdeen box, but his shot flew wide. Britton forced a good save from Preece from a Derek Fleming free kick with 15 minutes remaining. Aberdeen brought on Leigh Hinds, their recent signing from Clyde, and he worked hard to make room for a shot that Arthur got down to stop. McAllister saw red in 88 minutes, shouting abuse at the referee over a disputed decision, earning himself a second yellow card. Sheerin almost drew the home side level in the dying seconds with a neat turn and shot that rose just too high.

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