The Thistle Archive

Media report

David Forrest, 16-Jul-2025, ptfc.co.uk

Partick Thistle marked their homecoming to The Wyre Stadium at Firhill with a 2-0 victory over Stranraer in the Premier Sports Cup. The Jags came into this game top of Group B, after a comfortable 4-1 win over Edinburgh City, with Ross County dropping points to today’s visitors in a 1-1 draw. It was an unchanged line-up from Friday’s trip to Meadowbank, with the only change on the bench seeing back-up keeper Luis Cameron drop out for a Trialist with new signing Ts’oanelo Lets’osa not involved as the club did not receive his International Clearance in time to feature.

Thistle started the brighter of the two sides, with their first chance coming six minutes in when Robbie Crawford’s effort was deflected out for a corner. Logan Chalmers looked set to open the scoring when a Stevie Lawless fell to him in space, only for his 18 yard low shot to be blocked by a defender. Ben Stanway also came close on ten minutes when his free kick from just outside the area rattled off the inside of the post. From there, Stranraer’s stout defence proved difficult to pick open as the first half trundled on with little in the way of incident. The Stair Park side created a chance when the clock hit 45 minutes however Sean Docherty could not force the ball home from close ranger and Thistle raced to the other end in stoppage time. Stevie Lawless was taken down for a foul on the edge of the box and Chalmers lofted his free kick into the mixer, where skipper Lee Ashcroft managed to rise above the rest and head in at the back post with what was the last action of the half.

Buoyed by the goal just before the break, Thistle grew in confidence after the restart. They looked more purposeful in attack, getting more joy going forward. Two minutes it looked like the Jags would double the lead after Stranraer keeper Joshua Lane’s slip as he chased a Lewis Reid pass-back saw the ball come to Chalmers. Chalmers’ audacious chip seemed like it was heading in from long range, but instead hit the crossbar to spare Stranraer blushes. Tony Watt came on for the last half hour and was close to opening his account after an intelligent pass came to Chalmers, who then flicked the ball onto Watt for a header. Sadly, his effort sailed over as Thistle’s lead remained at a single goal. The Jags were determined to put the game out of sight, with Watt in particular playing some good football, as Thistle piled on the pressure. Thomas Horn almost squeezed an 18 yard shot past Lane before Watt was rewarded for his efforts on 87 minutes. The striker grabbed his first goal in red and yellow in spectacular fashion. A corner made its way to Watt outside of the box. The striker opted to have a dig, firing it into the net from range for a superb goal. With the game now beyond doubt, there was time for one final moment as Che Campbell came on for his home Partick Thistle debut. Campbell replaced Stevie Lawless, who had looked impressive throughout the game.

Thistle’s 2-0 win sees them retain their place at the top of the Group B table, now sitting on six points. Queen of the South’s 4-0 win over Edinburgh City tonight sees them leap into second on three points, having played a game less. QOS will be Thistle’s next opponents, with the Doonhamers making the trip to Maryhill next Tuesday evening.

Reaction

Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson (speaking to Jagzone):

The main objective is to win games and we want to take this tournament seriously, so pleased with that aspect to it. A wee bit frustrated with some parts of the first half, some of our connections weren't quite there and we were sometimes a bit slow in moving the ball. Last Friday night I wanted us to be a wee bit more patient and not be so frantic, tonight was kind of the opposite of that, but we'll get there in the end, it's still pre-season and we're still trying to implement something new. Second half was better and it's always pleasing to see another spread of goalscorers. The scoreline could've been greater, Ben hits the post, Logan hits the bar, their goalkeeper makes a couple of great saves, but three points is the most important thing and we'll get better week on week, I'm sure.

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