Match report - Partick Thistle v Livingston
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Partick Thistle 1 v 0 Livingston
Irn-Bru Scottish League 1st Division
15:00 Saturday 25th April, 2009
Firhill Stadium
Kick -Off 3.00 pm
Reporter: Alan Murray
Referee: Scott MacDonald
In what was a glorious day of sunshine that filled Firhill. Another glorious thing, Gary Harkins was unavailable for selection due to suspension, with Stephen McKeown unavailable because of injury, this posed McCall a selection problem with regard to his midfield. Simon Story filled the vacant midfield slot with Maxwell continuing in defense. Liam Buchanan made a welcome return to take a place on the bench.
The game started pretty flat with two evenly matched teams. David Rowson was first to come close but I think he knew little about it! A defensive clearance hit him and forced MacKenzie into action to tip over the bar.
There was not much in the way of clear cut chances. Andy Halliday had a shot come close for Livingston and Roberson had a shot close to the target however both failed to hit the spot.
In the 28th minute what possibly was the best chance of the game - Marc Twaddle was unable to get his free header on target from an Alan Archibald free kick.
In the 43rd minute Johnny Tuffey pulled of a save from the top drawer. Paton gave away a free kick on the edge of the box - McParland hit the free kick with power and headed towards Tuffey’s top corner but he somehow managed to get a hand to it and steer it wide of the net.
The second half started with some excellent play on the left wing by Marc Twaddle. He beat his man then put in an inch perfect cross which Scott Chaplain should have done better than head wide.
David Rowson then did his very best impersonation of the glorious one by doing his own version of the typical Harkins mazy run. Rowson managed to evade several Livi players but he could not get any power on the shot witch did not overly trouble MacKenzie in the Livi goal.
The 52nd mniute brought the end of an ineffective Lucas Akins. Buchanan’s introduction was met with quite a reception from the Jackie Husband stand.
Thistle were struggling to break down a sold Livi side and Buchanan’s introduction did not make too much of a difference.
McCall after the 62nd minute brought a man capable of opening up a defense in Simon Donnelly. He went into the advanced midfield role normally occupied by the glorious one.
McCall then played his final card in bring on Kevin McKinlay in place of Kris Doolan.
After 72 minutes Liam Buchanan showed his treat by drilling a ball across the livi goal -, unfortunately the final touch into goal was not there.
After the 76th minute Johnny Tuffey again was called into action. He headed the ball into the path of Leigh Griffiths who then struck the ball with considerable venom. Tuffey got a strong hand to the ball and turned it over.
Armand One then showed off his finishing skills after having only Tuffey to beat his shot which was well over the bar.
After the 87th minute a Maxwell throw was flick on to Scott Chaplain’s whose effort was wide of the post.
It now appeared to be a stick on for a goalless draw. However Thistle got a penalty after a Simon Donnelly shot was blocked by a Livi hand. Not sure if it was a penalty so will be interesting to take a look at the highlight on the official site.
Simon Donnelly seemed to be favorite to take the penalty but Buchanan was the most determined to take the penalty. He was justified after coolly sending MacKenzie the wrong way. Mark Twaddle chose to turn away due to the tension of the situation!
Man of the match – Ian Maxwell hard decision between him and Tuffey however Maxwell’s cool performance at the centre of the jags defense gets him the nod.