The Thistle Archive

Media report

05-Aug-2008, ptfc.co.uk

Following Saturday's victory against Dunfermline Ian McCall as promised freshened his side up for this Co-Operative Insurance Cup tie against Forfar Athletic. There were starts for goal hero against Dunfermline Stephen McKeown, Ryan McStay, Simon Donnelly and Kevin McKinlay. Ian Maxwell, Scott Chaplain, Gary Harkins all took up spots on the bench where they were joined by Graeme Eaglesham and sub keeper Craig Hinchliffe. Forfar meantime listed just one, Darren Brady, of their three ex Thistle players in their squad for the game.

It was Forfar that had the first effort on goal but Jonny Tuffey wasn't unduly tested by Elliot Smith's long range effort. Nor was he overly stretched in keeping out an attempted chip from Martin Fotheringham in the 10th minute. Fotheringham did get on the scoresheet in the 13th minute, however, when his effort from wide of the right, almost on the goal line, totally deceived Jonny Tuffey and found the back of the net. Though questionable that Fotheringham had meant to score Forfar had the lead all the same. Fotheringham tried his luck again in the 16th minute but on this occasion his shot skidded wide of goal. Thistle had their first hint of a goal in the 20th minute. Damon Gray sent over a cross and Stephen McKeown, the match winner on Saturday, latched onto the cross but although his shot had plenty of power it lacked accuracy. Gradually Thistle began to assert themselves on the game and Alisdair Brown had to do well to turn a deflected Marc Twaddle shot round the post for a corner. From the corner that followed Brown had another save to make this time from a header. Marc Twaddle and Kevin McKinlay clashing heads in an attempt to get to the ball. Forfar were defending well and although Marc Twaddle was able to get his head to a Paul Paton free kick in the 36th minute he was unable to direct his header anywhere near the Forfar goal. In the 38th minute we finally had a Thistle equaliser. Simon Donnelly initially did the spade work setting up Damon Gray with Gray's cross turned in by Stephen McKeown who scored his second goal of the week. A minute later Simon Donnelly was just inches away from being able to turn in a Paul Paton corner at the back post. Having trailed for much of the first half Thistle nearly went in at the break ahead. Paul Paton picking out Damon Gray with a cross the Thistle striker denied a goal by a fine save from Brown.

Thistle changed things around at half-time with Ian Maxwell coming on to replace Kevin McKinlay. Four minutes into the second half Stephen McKeown was inches away from his second goal of the night. After collecting a pass from Damon Gray his shot from the edge of the box was only just too high. Thistle were carrying much more of a goal threat in the second half and Damon Gray saw a shot blocked after being Marc Twaddle had set him up. Forfar though were still a threat themselves and Jonny Tuffey had to be well placed to make a save from a Fotheringham free kick. Twenty minutes into the second half and Forfar once again found themselves in front. Jonny Tuffey was able to touch a David Dunn header onto the bar but Derek Lilley was the first to the rebound and he nodded the ball home from about a yard out. This time it took Thistle just 5 minutes to get back on level terms. Paul Paton picked out Damon Gray was a cross from the right hand side and Damon headed home his second goal of the season. Thistle should have been in front for the first time in the 73rd minute. Marc Twaddle set up Stephen McKeown whose shot was saved by Brown. A Thistle goal still looked likely the ball dropping into the path of Simon Donnelly but he sent his effort over the bar. With ten minutes remaining Thistle introduced their second substitute when Scott Chaplain came on to replace Stephen McKeown. Chaplain's first involvement in the game was to very nearly set up Damon Gray for a goal scoring chance. Thistle scored the winner in the 87th minute against Dunfermline and nearly did so again against Forfar. Scott Chaplain pushed the ball out wide to Paul Paton whose cross was knocked over the bar by Simon Donnelly. Damon Gray too came close to a winner with a header that Brown was happy to grab just under his bar. With the 90 minutes all but up Thistle had one last chance to snatch it at the death but Paul Paton's corner was easily cleared and so it was a further period of 30 minutes.

The first chance of extra-time came the way of Thistle when Scott Chaplain unchallenged inside the Forfar box sent a header over the bar. Thistle were in front in the 97th minute though. Damon Gray needed two attempts to get hold of a Paul Paton cross but when he did finally get control of the ball he drilled it low into the net. As Thistle looked to find themselves some breathing space Simon Donnelly sent an effort over the bar. If Thistle thought the game was won at this point they were sadly mistaken when following yet another defensive lapse Elliot Smith shot past Tuffey for the game's 6th goal in the 103rd minute. We nearly had another goal when Gary Harkins, a replacement for Ryan McStay, cut inside and stung the hands of Brown with a fierce shot.

Harkins was again unfortunate not to score at the start of the second period of extra-time when once again he was denied a goal by the impressive Alisdair Brown. Harkins was almost trying to avoid this game going to penalties on his own and he curled a shot from the edge of the box just the wrong side of the post. Penalties were just 8 minutes away when Thistle were in front again. A Marc Twaddle thrown in was touched on by Damon Gray with Scott Chaplain supplying an impressive finish. Gary Harkins had brought real energy to the Thistle performance and he nearly scored the goal he deserved in the 118 minute but his shot just drifted marginally off target. Marc Twaddle nearly found himself on the score sheet. Damon Gray set him up but Brown produced another excellent save and managed to turn the ball round the post for a corner in what proved to be the last serious action of what had been a strange game.

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