The Thistle Archive

Media report

10-Jan-2009, ptfc.co.uk

A wet and wild Caledonian Stadium brought back memories of similar conditions at the same venue for a quarter-final tie back in 2002. That evening a memorable Scott Paterson free kick settled the issue in favour of Thistle. Seven years on it was a new group of Thistle players looking to write their name large into the pages of Thistle’s history. After an emphatic 4-2 win against Clyde in the last fixture manager Ian McCall kept changes for this game to a minimum. Scott Chaplain did drop to the bench as Kevin McKinlay was pushed forward alongside Simon Donnelly to provide support to Liam Buchanan. On the bench there was a slot for new signing Kris Doolan.

The home team were the first to threaten and in the 7th minute Jonny Tuffey had to look lively to tip a long range McBain shot over the bar. A teasing cross from Caley new boy Morais in the 9th minute caused the Thistle defence problems but there was no Caley player able to apply a finish to Morais' cross. Two minutes later the home side really should have had the lead. After Simon Storey missed an interception the ball fell to Andy Barrowman some ten yards from goal and although Barrowman was at an angle he really should have done better than drag the ball wide of goal. Thistle's response was their first shot on goal, Fraser getting down well to save a Liam Buchanan shot from the edge of the box. While Caley perhaps carried the greater threat at this point this was shaping up as an even game and a great cross field pass from Gary Harkins pass picked out Kevin McKinlay who, after an excellent first touch, was tackled before managing to fire in a shot as Thistle won their first corner of the afternoon. In the 18th minute Gary Harkins, showing awareness that Liam Buchanan had perhaps strayed a fraction offside, skidded a shot just wide of goal from 25 yards as both teams pressed for the all-important opening goal. Thistle were forced to reorganise in the 26th minute. After receiving treatment for an injury John Robertson wasn't able to continue with Mark Roberts coming on in his place forcing Ian McCall into shuffling his pack somewhat. Whether that was a factor not is unclear but Caley took the lead in the 28th minute as Thistle tried to reorganise in the wake of Robertson's departure. Filipe Morais firing the ball low and hard past Jonny Tuffey and into the corner of the net. After that goal the game seemed to settle down. Thistle continued to play neat football but lacked any real punch up front. Simon Donnelly had a half chance when a headed clearance fell to him but his first touch let him down and Marc Twaddle was well off target after Gary Harkins pushed a free kick into his path. Indeed the bulk of Thistle's efforts at this point were from long range and Gary Harkins saw a shot from 25 yards slip comfortably wide of Fraser's goal as the game began to drift towards half-time.

Thistle made a change at the break with Scott Chaplain coming on in place of Liam Buchanan. Thistle's chances of emerging from this tie with even a replay were dealt a near fatal blow inside of a minute of the restart. Don Cowie set up Iain Vigurs and his powerful shot left Jonny Tuffey with no chance. Thistle though were very nearly right back in this game in the 50th minute. Enterprising play from Kevin McKinlay provided Scott Chaplain with a chance with the Thistle sub only denied a goal by a fine save at his near post from Michael Fraser. Thistle did have the ball in the net in the 54th minute. Mark Roberts did well to set up Simon Donnelly but Donnelly had strayed offside. It was game over a minute later though as when Morais punished a defensive error and rolled the ball into an empty net. Despite a three goal deficit Thistle were still playing decent football and Simon Donnelly was close to reducing the leeway only for Fraser to tip his shot from the edge of the box over the bar. Thistle were showing a commendable approach in an attempt to retrieve a seemingly hopeless situation and Simon Storey was a little unlucky to see a shot drift wide after collecting a pass from Kevin McKInlay. With 15 minutes remaining Thistle made their final change of the afternoon, Kris Doolan coming on to make his Thistle debut when he replaced Kevin McKinlay but there was to be no way back as Thistle's Scottish Cup dreams ended ultimately fairly tamely.

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