Match report Partick Thistle v Ayr United
Partick Thistle 2 v 0 Ayr United
Firhill Stadium,
15:00 Saturday 17th October, 2009
Attendance: 3,055
Jags go into this match looking to keep there excellent record at home and get over the disappointment of last weeks defeat against Dundee. Manager Ian McCall has almost a full squad to choose from.
Thistle made an excellent start, with Mark Corcoran benefiting from a slack back pass from the Ayr defense. This is what I was told happened because I was still walking up to the game when the goal went in!
After the 13th minute Hodge looped a quality pass out to Liam Buchanan who had found space out on the right. Buchanan then closed in on goal - his shot was parried out and Simon Donnelly tried to get the rebound. Craig Samson was able to recover in time to reclaim the ball.
Liam Buchanan was then involved in probably the biggest talking point of the game. Liam found himself in the box and under pressure from the Ayr defender. He was clearly pushed and went down, the reaction of the referee was to book Liam for simulation. A very unfair decision.
Mark Roberts nearly scored against his old team after the 28th minute but was unable to take advantage of the excellent opportunity given to him.
Thistle were starting to really turn it on with some quick passing movement.
Thistle then got an expected second goal after the 37th minute. Bryan Hodge again showed his passing skills and played in Liam Buchanan. Liam then got then break of the ball and made no mistake to put the Jags deservedly two up.
End of the first half and Mr McCall must have been happy with his sides performance and his two goal advantage.
Sid was the first to threaten the Ayr goal after the 58th minute. He was set up by Liam Buchanan, sid met the cross with a superbly executed volley and was only denied by a brilliant save from Craig Samson in the Ayr goal.
Mark Roberts had another attempt and really should have scored but his header was directed over the thistle bar.
Chris Erskine was introduced in favor of Mark Corcoran and after the 76th minute went past the Ayr right back and his shot was parried by Samson. Erskine was unable to take advantage of the rebound and his shot went over the bar. It really should have been 3.
Paul Cairney had a near miss after he shot just past the post.
Cairney was involved in another penalty claim for the jags. He was clearly brought down in the box but the referee awarded a corner.
Both Doolan and Jim Hamilton had efforts on goal but none were successful.
Man of the match - quite a few candidates, Maxwell was excellent is defense as was Roberson. Liam again played well but Hodge gets the nod this week. His passing was excellent. He is always looking for the killer ball and is developing into a real asset to the jags this season.