Match report - Partick Thistle v Greenock Morton
Partick Thistle 5 v 0 Greenock Morton
Saturday 29nd August 2009 3.00 pm Firhill Stadium
Reporter Alan Murray
Referee: John McKendrick
Attendance: 2,986
Thistle made a couple of changes with Ian Maxwell and Chris Erskine coming in for Stephen McKeown and Simon Donnelly.
This allowed for a change in formation to 3-5-2.
Thistle started the game the same as we did on Tuesday night - very shakily. Morton having plenty of joy down the flanks with Boyle and Paton getting a serious test of their defensive qualities.
Liam Buchanan after the 5th minute tried to set up Mark Corcoran who could not keep his shot down.
Morton had a number of corners but were unable to take advantage - Thistle had a corner wasted by Paul Cairney.
A good pass moving by Thistle after the 18th minute was wasted by the infective Boyle.
After the 25th minute Liam Buchanan changed the course of the game when after an excellent flick by Corcoran from a Johnny Tuffy goal kick, he showed his strength and determination to out muscle the Morton defense and flicked home the opening goal against the run of play.
After the 31 minute Chris Erskine nearly made it two with his shot just over the bar.
Thistle were now starting to get a grip of the game with the pace of the Thistle front line causing panic in the Morton defense.
Mark Corcoran was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty a short time after getting brought down in the box. One of those ones were a foul would have been given if it was not in the penalty box.
Corcoran has plenty to celebrate after the 36th minute - Paul Cairney played in Liam Buchanan whose powerfully struck ball meant that the Morton goalkeeper could only parry the ball and Corcoran’s quick reaction and pace meant that he got there first to tap the ball into the net.
Buchanan was again involved in the next goal when he broke down the right and put in another powerful shot that was not cleared by the Morton defense. The ball broke kindly to mark Corcoran who blasted the ball to make it 3-0 Thistle!
First half and the Jags were 3 - 0 up despite Morton have the most possession.
Thistle started the game brightly and again the pace of Corcoran, Buchanan and Erskine were causing all sorts of problems in the Morton defense. This time Corcoran was unable to get the required direction on the ball.
Morton still provided a threat to the Thistle goal and substitute Brian Wake should have done better with a header at the front post.
Corcoran again could have had a hat trick - Johnny Tuffey sent a terrific goal kick at Boyle who hit a perfect cross but Corcoran could not get the power or direction on the ball to see it past McWilliams.
The power Liam Buchanan was getting behind his shots was causing McWilliams all sorts of problems and again he was unable to properly deal with a Buchanan shot and his parry provided Paul Cairney with the easiest of task to make it 4-0 Thistle.
After all the excitement we had a very anxious few minutes after a horror tackle from Stewart Greacen. It sent Chris Erskine spinning up in the air and he really is a lucky guy now to not have a serious injury. The referee’s reaction said it all - he sprinted up to Greacen and showed the red card. Chats of ‘scum’ came from the Jacky Husband stand and who could argue with it? If Greacen really is the decent guy some Morton fans say he is he will send a personnel apology to Erskine. One of the worse tackles I have ever seen either at a Thistle game or on TV.
Liam Buchanan bagged himself a much deserved goal when he shot past McWilliams. Liam very nearly had a hat trick after he had a shot past McWilliams but a Morton player managed to kick the ball off the line when most of the JH stand were already on their feet celebrating.
Man of the match - Liam Buchanan - his best performance in a Thistle shirt and one of the best striker performances I have ever saw at a Thistle game. McCall had Rowson as his man of the match but although he was outstanding, Liam’s performance was something very special.