Match report - Clyde v Partick Thistle
Clyde v Partick Thistle
Saturday 18th July 2009
Kick -Off 3.00 pm
Reporter: Alan Murray
Thistle pre season continued with a visit to old rivals Clyde. Jags fans were in the main stand near the Clyde fans so there was plenty of opportunity for banter between the supporters.
Clyde have only been assembling a team over the summer and signed their first players the day before the game, so we really did not know what to expect from this Clyde team however what they did produce was a typical fighting display. John Brown clearly forgot to mention to the Clyde player’s that the game was actually a friendly - much of the Clyde play was rather unfriendly!
Liam Buchanan started brightly and had a shot just over the bar after a minute. He again threatened after the 6th minute from a Boyle throw and found himself a clear opportunity at goal but somehow missed the target.
Thistle had a grip on the game and Buchanan set up Doolan but he could not get his shot off quickly enough and the keeper did well block his shot. Thistle’s pressure continued and Doolan should have done better from an excellent cross from Paul Paton.
Bryan Hodge made his claim to take over the free kick duties with a well struck shot that hit the cross bar with the keeper beaten.
With the half time whistle approaching Buchanan again found himself in a good position but could only place his shot beyond the post.
It was Buchanan’s strike partner Doolan that was to finally convert the Jags superiority onto the score board. Liam set up Doolan and he coolly slotted the ball away for an over due goal to reward the Jags dominance.
There was a substitution at half time with Paul Cairney replacing Paul Paton.
Clyde started the game brightly and was treating it like a normal competitive game however thistle was happy to stay in first gear.
Clyde drew level to what seemed to be a foul on goalkeeper Craig Hinchcliffe but the referee failed to blow his whistle and striker William Sawyers rolled the ball into the net to draw the two team’s level.
Thistle then put on Jim Hamilton to replace the disappointing Stephen McKeown.
Just a few minutes later Clyde were put into the lead through some poor defending on Thistles part. One of the Clyde trialist’s was put through on goal and coolly placed the ball beyond Hinchcliffe.
After 63 minutes Jags made another substitution with Patrick Boyle coming off in favour of Ian Maxwell.
Alan Archibald seemed to lose his cool, when flying into a very poor challenge witch merited a lecture from the referee.
Hodge came close after being set up by Buchanan after the 67th minute.
Liam Buchanan continued his off day in front of goal when he was unable to direct a rebound from a well struck David Rowson shot on target.
Doolan nearly managed to level things but was unable to direct his shot on target after 74 minutes. Thistle then gave Ricky Little a chance with 16 minutes remaining.
Not a great performance but Thistle thought they were in a friendly game and the Clyde players were 100% committed. This is really what caused this result and not too much should be looked into it.
We do look like we are going to missing the pace and ability to run with the ball given the loss of Harkins and Twaddle. We certainly need another striker and a midfielder with some pace.
Best moment of the game was a rather upset thistle fan shouting ‘are you an f****** trialist as well referee!’ brought a smile from me and a few other thistle fans!
Man of the match - Kris Doolan. Looks to have matured over the close season. His first touch has improved and looks like a 10+ goal scorer this season.
1. Craig Hinchcliffe 2. Paul Paton(Paul Cairney) 3. Patrick Boyle(Ian Maxwell) 4. Martyn Corrigan 5. John Robertson 6. Alan Archibald 7. Stephen McKeown(Jim Hamilton) 8. David Rowson 9. Liam Buchanan 10. Kris Doolan 11. Bryan Hodge