The Thistle Archive

Media report

24-Jan-2009, ptfc.co.uk

With the St Johnstone v Dunfermline game cancelled Thistle were given the opportunity to move to within three points of St Johnstone at the top of the table. Manager Ian McCall was boosted in his attempts to do just that by an almost full squad to select from. Only the injured Ian Maxwell and John Robertson were unavailable to the manager. Kris Doolan, who had impressed during his home debut against St Johnstone, maintained his place in the side with new loan signing Lucas Akins starting on the bench as Doolan was partnered up front by a returning Liam Buchanan.

The signs that this was going to be a fiercely contested fixture with no quarter given were there inside the first minute with Paul Paton picking up the game's first booking before the first 60 seconds had even elapsed. Determined to reverse an alarming run of poor form Queens restored Stephen Dobbie to their starting line-up and as he has been so often in the past he was once again a thorn in Thistle side's opening the scoring after 11 minutes. Stevie Tosh pushed the ball into his path and Dobbie's low shot beat a motionless Jonny Tuffey. It was hardly a promising opening from Thistle and after a misplaced Paul Paton free kick Alan Archibald only just beat Barry Wilson to a through ball as Queens tried to press home their early advantage. The Thistle goal was under threat again seconds later and it was that man Dobbie who once more induced panic in the Thistle defence. After Dobbie turned sharply he was only denied a second goal by a fine save from Jonny Tuffey. Thistle were level though in the 18th minute. Gary Harkins swung over a free kick from the left hand side right into the danger area and Kris Doolan was on hand inside the six yard box to head home his first ever Thistle goal. Thistle very nearly enjoyed equality for just 2 minutes. Queens continued to look a real threat when coming forward and when the ball dropped into the path of Harris some 12 yards out Thistle were thankful that Jonny Tuffey was well placed to save low down. It was the home side that remained very much on top in the game's opening quarter and a fine passing move ended with a Harris shot being blocked by a Thistle defender. Although Thistle's attacks were more isolated at this point than Queens' were Liam Buchanan was still able to fashion a half chance for himself after 26 minutes but his final shot let him down and the opportunity was lost. The longer the half wore on the more settled Thistle, although prone to conceding possession a little too readily, became and in the 38th minute David Rowson was able fire towards goal from 30 yards out but his shot though well struck was always heading wide of goal.

The first half chance of the second half came Thistle's way. Gary Harkins did well to win the ball in midfield, receiving a painful blow in the process, before laying the ball into the path of Marc Twaddle who from the corner of the box sent his shot over the bar. Eight minutes into the second half Gary Harkins was able to test Robinson in the Queens goal but the home keeper was able to complete a relatively comfortable save. In the 54th minute Queen of the South were handed and took the perfect chance to restore their lead. Paul Paton was adjudged to have pulled Robert Harris to the ground inside his own penalty box and Stevie Tosh calmly slotted home the penalty that followed. On the hour mark Thistle made their first change of the afternoon with Scott Chaplain coming on in place of Stephen McKeown. In the 65th minute Thistle came close to an equaliser when a driven cross from Paul Paton was nearly put through his own net by a Queens defender. When Robinson was unable to gather the corner that followed the ball for a second bounced free but no Thistle player was able to apply a finish. Thistle new loan signing Lucas Akins was handed his debut in the 67th mi nute when he came on for Liam Buchanan. The game was very nearly put beyond the reach of Thistle in the 70th minute. Simon Storey totally misjudged a through ball leaving Dobbie with just Tuffey to beat. His shot though was just a little too close to the Thistle keeper who was able to get a firm hand to the ball and prevent a third and potentially match winning Queen of the South goal. Thistle were certainly pressing at this point but weren't creating any clear cut opportunities. Kris Doolan was able to latch on to a pass from Scott Chaplain but his chipped effort never looked likely to beat Robinson and drifted well wide of goal. In the 76th minute Thistle were back on level terms once more. The ball falling to the feet of Scott Chaplain at the edge of the box and his low shot found the corner of the Queen of the South net. Thistle had the scent of a victory in their nostrils at this point and with the travelling support in full voice Marc Twaddle fired over the bar from the edge of the box. Queens too were hardly likely to accept a point and Sean O'Connor forced Tuffey into a save when a pass to team mate Paul Burns may have been the better option. There was barely a minute of the game remaining when Jonny Tuffey underlined once more just how good a goalkeeper he is. Neil Scally threw himself at a cross from Queens right with Tuffey producing a truly outstanding save to somehow turn the ball over the bar. It was little wonder that Scally walked away with his head in his hands. That was the last serious action of an entertaining fixture and with Thistle twice coming from behind they were probably the happier of the two teams with a point.

.