Match report St Johnstone 1 Partick Thistle 1
St Johnstone v Partick Thistle
Irn-Bru Scottish League 1st Division
Saturday 4th April 2009
McDiarmid Park Perth
Kick -Off 3.00 pm
Reporter: Alan Murray
Referee: Alan Muir
Attendance: 2,736
Thistle traveled up in large numbers to this vital game. Official figures put the Jags support as 1528.
McCall opted to start with the same side as last week – again sticking to the 4-4-2 formation.
Thistle started the game the better side and looked very much up for the game however St Johnstone seamed nervy. Thistle won a free kick in the 4th minute however Harkins cross found nobody and went out for a goal kick.
St Johnstone threatened in the 14th minute through a Liam Craig free kick however when the ball broke to McCaffrey he could only drive the ball past Tuffy’s post.
Alan Archibald’s name was in the book after a deliberate hand ball however Martin Hardies swerving free kick did not overly trouble Tuffy.
St Johnstone now were beginning to get a grip on the game and Samuel’s pace and trickery were causing the Jags problems. Samuel came close to opening the scoring for the home team but could not keep his header down.
After starting well Jags were happy to hear the half time whistle as they came under pressure for last 20 mins or so in the first half.
3 minutes into the second half and McCall had his hand forced into a substitution as McKeown was clearly struggling with an injury. Scott Chaplain came on as his replacement.
Paton was beginning to really influence the game down the right wing and found Doolan just outside the box – the striker could get his foot over the ball to strike and the danger was cleared.
After 65 mins SJ Johnstone took advantage of their dominance of procession and took the lead through a knockdown to the impressive Steven Milne who made no misstate.
Thistle now had to come forward and in the 70th minute Marc Twaddle drilled a powerful shot just past the post.
McCall made his second substitution of the game bring on Simon Donnelly to replace the tiring Lucas Akins who’s tripping over the ball when in a good position made up McCall’s mind that his time was up.
With only 12 mins remaining they came close to an equalizing goal – A Paul Paton free kick was headed back across goal but Donnelly was unable to steer the ball into goal.
This looked to be Thistles final chance to level but a moment of class from Gary Harkins leveled the sides. He burst into the box and despite the close attention of three St Johnstone players he managed the poke the ball past Main. Mr. Harkins then disappeared into the thistle support all reminiscent of the Damon Gray goal at Ibrox!
Thistle then continued to press the SJ Johnstone goal and with the Thistle fans now at full volume it was SJ Johnston supporters than had the more nervous finish to the game.
Scott Chaplain came close to the winner but his net bound shot was blocked by the St Johnstone defense.
Not the best game of football but enough to keep you entertained. Among the best performers for Jags were Paton, Roberson, and Harkins - however Alan Archibald’s performance was evidence that he is by no means past his best. A rock at the back all afternoon for the jags.