The Thistle Archive

Media report

JAGS STUNG AS STIRLING MAKE IT 10 UNBEATEN. STIRLING stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games with a comprehensive beating of a totally dispirited Thistle - their first win over the Jags since 1999. An own-goal gaffe by home keeper Colin Stewart between goals from Paddy Connolly and Chris Aitken made it a thoroughly miserable festive time for the Firhill faithful. Thistle's performancewas absolutely shocking and Aitken's killer third goal had Maryhill punters telling manager Dick Campbell where to go in no uncertain terms. In his programme notes Campbell had stated all he wanted for Christmas was a new central defender in the January transfer window and on this showing it's a must.

The Jags boss said: “The goals we're losing just now are really stupid and it's been happening since September. It's frustrating that I can't do anything about it. My players let themselves down and they let a magnificent support down. I'm very, very angry at the way we let Stirling go three goals up. I've given people the opportunity to show they're good enough to play for this club and I got answers today which I will be addressing. Jukka Santala is going back to Rangers and that will give us funds for the January transfer window.”

Albion boss Allan Moore, on the other hand, was a happy man. He said: “I always knew I had good players and I've been proved right. I suspected we'd win today because we always play well against Partick. My players worked their socks off and their work ethic has been brilliant.”

The home side enjoyed the bulk of possession during the opening exchanges and in 15 minutes Ricky Gillies controlled Scott McCulloch's pass with his chest before unleashing a volley which was save by Albion keeper Myles Hogarth. But two minutes later Albion hit Thistle with a sucker punch to snatch the lead.Stephen Bell broke from inside his own half and stoked the ball forward to Connolly. The veteran striker dragged two defenders across the box before switching feet to fire a low shot under the reach of Stewart for his 12th goal of the season. Midway through the half Chris Hay's flick sent Bell haring in on goal but this time Stewart came off his line to smother the ball at his feet. Thistle looked devoid of any real imagination but Graham Dorrans, playing the final game of his loan spell before returning to Livingston, showed a flash of brilliance with a cheeky back-heel to free Sean Gilgannon but his effort was easily saved.

Campbell's men went off to a chorus of boos at half-time and after the break the Thistle horror show had turned into a comedy. In 50 minutes Hay released Bell again and although Stewart saved his strike the ball bobbled up and Connolly's header was cleared off the line by Will Snowdon. But Stewart fell and palmed the ball into his own net. Four minutes later Bell and Dorrans were involved in some fisticuffs which could have seen the pair sent off but referee Andy Hunter opted for yellows. By now Thistle's defending was nothing short of atrocious and even their own fans started to applaud the confidence-stricken Stewart whenever he managed to gather the ball safely. But they weren't laughing in 63 minutes when Aitken's cross-cum-shot caught Stewart off his line and looped over his head into the top corner. Thistle's dreadful day was summed up when Marc Smyth's header was cleared off the line by Ross Forsyth. Poor Stewart redeemed himself ever so slightly when he made a brilliant block to deny substitute Dougie Wilson a fourth goal when he was clean through.

Afterwards scorer Aitken said: “I meant it. It was no fluke but the boys are still saying it was a cross. I made a good run and spotted the keeper off his line. Their keeper was under a lot of pressure and he was getting pelters from the fans but you don't wish that on any player. The gaffer told me before the game to shoot whenever I had the chance. I stayed behind to do extra shooting practice after training and it's really starting to pay off. Everybody is playing for each other and there's definitely a play-off spot there for us.”

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