The Thistle Archive

Media report

24-Jul-2024, clydefc.co.uk

Clyde celebrated an excellent victory over old rivals Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup tie at Firhill this evening, with Logan Dunachie netting a winner four minutes from time. Ian McCall made five changes to his side from Saturday’s defeat against Motherwell, with Craig Howie, Robbie Leitch and Logan Dunachie making their first starts of the season alongside the returning Tommy Robson and Marley Redfern. For Thistle, Daniel O'Reilly, Aaron Muirhead & Robbie Crawford came in for Harry Milne, Stuart Bannigan & Scott Robinson.

The hosts opened the scoring inside five minutes after a well worked move resulted in Aidan Fitzpatrick playing a one-two before curling an effort past Brian Kinnear from the edge of the box. Logan Chalmers then had an opportunity to double Thistle’s lead when he cut inside from the right flank but fizzed an effort just wide of target. The Bully Wee drew level with 27 minutes played through a comical own goal from Lee Ashcroft. The defender turned towards his own net 35 yards out on the touchline, and hammered a pass back towards goal, not noticing David Mitchell was on the edge of his box. The former Clyde ‘keeper was unable to get back and stop the ball crossing the line, and injured himself in the process. Clyde then turned the game around and took the lead a minute before the interval. Liam Scullion’s long back was masterfully flicked on by Logan Dunachie over the head of Ashcroft just inside the Thistle half, and he outpaced the defender to stride into the box and slot a finish beyond sub ‘keeper Mason McCready.

The Bully Wee almost had a third just after the interval; Cuddihy’s long ball up field was nodded down by Dunachie into the path of Marley Redfern who in turn fed Robbie Leitch but his shot was blocked and sent behind by Wasiri Williams. The Jags equalised a minute after the hour mark after hitting Clyde on the counter. Kyle Turner sent a pass through the defence which Brian Graham latched onto and slotted a low drive past Kinnear. Barry Cuddihy then hit a shot just past the post up the other end before Kinnear was called into action again, making a fine save from Turner at close range before a follow up effort from Dan Mackay was deflected wide. From the resulting corner Kinnear was at his best again to deny Luke McBeth from a few yards out. Partick continued to crank up the pressure and broke from their own penalty area with Mackay driving forward before squaring for Fitzpatrick who sent a ball into the six-yard box for Scott Robinson, but Tommy Robson was in the right place to send his effort behind. The winning goal came four minutes from time. Paul McKay’s long throw into a crowded penalty box was seized upon by Martin Rennie, who turned Brian Graham to float a cross into the middle of the area, where Dunachie was on hand to bullet a header past McCready into the net and sent the 422 Clyde fans inside Firhill into raptures.

Reaction

Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan (speaking to Jagzone):

It was poor, we just didn't really get a grip on the game, and yet we started really, we got the goal and looked like we were going to go on and score more and more, but then we give away a freak goal. It's not even a mistake, it's a total freak goal and then we lose the goalkeeper as well at the same time. We regain our composure but then give away another one. Teams should have to work hard to score against us, so there's lots to learn from tonight. There's so many things we could have done better tonight, when we get in the final third the last pass is the most important one bar the one that puts it in the net, normally we're very good, but we looked a wee bit indecisive at times or picked the wrong option. It was an off night, but it's good that it happens at this stage of the season - you put it to bed. It's a real tough game coming on Sunday, but we've got to go there and believe we can win.

Clyde manager Ian McCall (speaking to Clyde TV):

It was a great game of football, I thought for the first 15 minutes we were chasing shadows and we got a break; Lee Ashcroft's never done that in his career and I tried to sign him twice. Big Brian Graham scored an absolute trundler to get it back to 2-2 [laughs] and then they dominated for 10 minutes, but we came back really strong, really pleased with the subs impact. I think we merited our victory and it could be a crucial one, because we're still in this if we can manage to win on Saturday - which won't be easy - then we've got a chance. Great turnout, and it was great to see the supporters really celebrating.

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