The Thistle Archive

Media report

28-Feb-2004, bbc.com

Motherwell hammered another nail in Partick Thistle's coffin with a deserved win to cast the Jags 12 points adrift at the bottom of the league. Steven Hammell got the ball rolling with a superbly executed free kick after only 11 minutes. David Clarkson added a second shortly after the interval with a headed goal. Derek Adams rubbed salt in Thistle's wounds with a third goal 10 minutes from the end, tapping in from close range after Clarkson's pass.

Partick started the game well and they had a decent chance to take the lead after just one minute when Ian Ross chested the ball into the path of David Rowson only for him to fire wide across the face of goal. At the other end, Hammell played a one-two with Shaun Fagan before unleashing the shot but goalkeeper Kenny Arthur was not troubled. The Thistle goalkeeper was called into action when Alex Burns set up Scott McDonald for the shot and the Australian was unfortunate to see Arthur just manage to hold the point-blank shot. The home side's pressure paid off after 11 minutes when Keith Lasley was hauled down on the edge of the area by Ross and Hammell sent a superb curling free-kick past Arthur into the top corner of the net. Thistle had chances to reply when Jamie Mitchell picked out player-manager Gerry Britton just inside the area only for him to completely mis-kick the shot and then Britton squandered another chance by firing just wide of goal after the ball had fallen kindly for him. Partick almost drew level 10 minutes before half-time. Mitchell sent a cross to the back post where both Jorge Cadete and Ross were waiting but Paul Quinn managed to intercept before either Thistle player could connect. Motherwell showed they could still be a threat when Lasley and Clarkson exchanged passes only for the former to fire wide of the upright.

Thistle started the second half strongly and called Gordon Marshall into action five minutes after the re-start when Rowson sent the ball into a crowded box but Adrian Madaschi's header was held by the veteran goalkeeper. Instead, it was Motherwell who found the back of the net again. Derek Adams' long ball was met by McDonald on the right flank and he fired into the path of Clarkson for the youngster to head home after 52 minutes. Partick could have pulled a goal back when Grant Murray picked out Britton with a long ball and the Thistle striker was unlucky to see his drive pushed over the crossbar by Marshall. Motherwell put the game beyond Partick with 10 minutes to go when they grabbed a third goal. This time Clarkson turned provider to supply the cross for Adams to fire past Arthur from 10 yards.

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