Match report - Stirling Albion v Partick Thistle
Stirling Albion v Partick Thistle
Saturday 11th July 2009
Kick -Off 3.00 pm
Reporter: Alan Murray
Attendance: 650 approx
Thistle’s official pre-season started in the bright sunshine at Second Division Stirling Albion. New signings Patrick Boyle, Martyn Corrigan and Bryan Hodge were included in the starting 11. The Spanish trialist had who previously impressed in a closed door game against Queens Park was also included. The other two new signings, Jim Hamilton and Chris Erskine occupied a place on the bench.
Thistle started well and a neat move involving Hodge and the trialist presented Stephen McKeown with an excellent chance however he could only blast the ball over the bar.
A chance for Liam Buchanan came after the 6th minute however the Stirling keeper turned it past the post.
Buchanan was then involved in a penalty claim however it appeared Liam may have taken an early season dive and the referee righty turned away the claims.
Thistle appeared to be strolling through the game and it seemed only a matter of time before the goal would come. Thistle threatened through a Paul Paton cross in the 22nd minute – a Liam Buchanan header back across goal but could not find any takers.
Then the game changed when an excellent Stewart Devine free kick found the head of Ross Forsyth who skillfully glanced the ball into the back of the net.
Stirling now started to threaten and Mullen had two good chances – one when he was through on Tuffey but was unable to take any of them.
Thistle then was presented with what should have been a goal for Doolan. Hodge skillfully found Doolan with only about 8 yards from goal. The striker may use the excuse it was on his left peg but he really should have scored.
Second half brought changes – on came Ian Maxwell and Chris Erskine – off went Paul Paton and Liam Buchanan. This meant Stephen McKeown went up front.
The second half start saw a chance for Ross Forsyth but his shot was blocked.
Chris Erskine’s arrival brought some much needed directness to Thistle’s play and he nearly won a penalty in the 59th minute. He was tripped in what appeared to be inside the box but the referee awarded a free kick just outside the area.
Thistle made changes in the 65th minute when Jim Hamilton and Paul Cairney came with Stephen McKeown and Bryan Hodge sacrificed.
Paul Cairney came close in the 70th minute but his well hit shot went over the bar.
Stirling was denied in the 73rd minute when Tuffey did well to turn round a well struck Liam Corr shot.
Thistle was now beginning to really press for the equalizer and were subject to some robust challenges from some of the Stirling players. With some of the tackles going in I think McCall may have been tempted to reminded his Stiring counterpart Allan Moore that this was meant to be a friendly game.
More evidence of the trialist’s excellent passing was in evidence - but when the ball fell to Chris Erskine he was crowded out when trying to get his shot off.
Thistle then got even in what looked a dubious penalty. There was a short discussion between Cairney and Jim Hamilton with surprisingly Cairney coming out on top to who would take the penalty! Cairney made no mistake with a very well taken spot kick.
Two more chances fell to Doolan and Chris Erskine however they were unable to convert them.
Man of the match – Trialist. Showed some excellent touches and was surprised to read McCall’s comments of the official site.
Boyle – not the best of debuts to be honest but did show some promise.
Hodge – looked good, very much in the Rowson mold.
Corrigan – poor, looked very slow and passing was not great.
Erskine – looks like a raw talent. Gave some much needed drive to the side when he came on.
Cairney – did not do too much but scored a nice penalty.
Hamilton – did okay and given the fact he has done no pre-season much more to come.
Stirling: Christie (Hogarth), Feakes (McEwan), Forsyth (Young), Roycroft, Graham, Robertson (Murphy), Trialist (Taggert), McCord (Corr), McKenna (Trialist), Mullen (Trialist), Devine.
Thistle: Tuffey, Paton (Maxwell), Boyle (Rowson), Corrigan, Robertson, Archibald, McKeown (Hamilton), Hodge (Cairney), Buchanan (Erskine), Doolan, Trialist.
Crowd: 604.