Saturday 11 February 2006
| Thistle 1 - 1 Morton
Written by Lianne |
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| Saturday, 11 February 2006 | |
| A late goal from Derek Lilley gave Morton a share of the points in an entertaining game at Firhill this afternoon. Billy Gibson had edged the Jags in front in the first half, but Lilley’s header eight minutes from time meant the points were shared.Thistle lined-up in a 4-4-2 formation with Hodge moving to left back to replace the injured McCulloch and Scott Boyd earning his first start alongside Marc Smyth. Fit again Stef McConalogue joined Ritchie in attack meaning Mark Roberts was asked to fill a wide right midfield role with Strachan on the opposite wing.
Despite failing to beat Peterhead at home in their last game, Morton stuck with the same starting eleven, top scorer Derek Lilley was partnered by Andy McLaren up front while loan signing James McPake had to make do with a place on the bench. It was the Jags who had the first glimpse of goal as early as the 5th minute when a quick break saw Roberts pick out the run of Jimmy Gibson down the right, but the Morton defence were quick to get back and his early ball into the penalty area failed to pick out McConalogue. At the other end Kenny Arthur almost gifted Greacen a chance when spilled the ball at the feet of the Morton defender, but he was caught by surprise and the defence was able to scramble the ball clear. The first clear-cut chance came after 10 minutes when a strong run by Ritchie saw him force his way through a couple of tackles, the ball broke wider than he would have liked and in the end he could only drive the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle. A clever pass from Strachan almost created another opening for Thistle, but Greacen did well to intercept, and the same player did even better a few minutes later when he managed to ease McConalogue off the ball as the striker ran onto Roberts’ through ball but was unable to get in a shot on goal due to the defenders attentions. Thistle were definitely looking the most likely side to open the scoring but without really testing the keeper, although that seemed set to change when Ritchie was in the right place to collect Jimmy Gibson’s deflected shot, but with the ball coming to him at chest height it was a difficult one to take and from 8-yards he hooked it narrowly over the bar. With half an hour gone Morton briefly threatened when a short free kick was only half-cleared, but Chris Millar’s effort from 20-yards lacked power and was an easy one for Arthur to collect. Thistle then got the opener their play deserved just a few minutes later when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after a good interchange between Roberts and Jimmy Gibson was ended with the latter being brought down. In the absence of Scott McCulloch it was Billy Gibson who stepped up to take it, and his powerful shot went through the wall taking a slight deflection on the way before nestling in the back of the net. The visitors responded by bringing young McPake on in place of McLaren, who had spent more of the first half moaning than playing football, but it was Thistle who again threatened, and again it was from a Billy Gibson free-kick, but this time his effort was deflected wide of target. Just before half-time Thistle had two great chances to extend their lead, firstly Strachan’s cross was flicked onto Mark Roberts at the back post but McGregor did well to block his volley. Then, from the resultant corner, Paul Ritchie got a free header but was denied by the defender on the line knocking it clear. A goal then would have given Thistle a great chance to go on and win the game, and although at the start of the second half they looked to hold the upper hand; Strachan and Ritchie both had half-chances but were unable to test the keeper, Morton - who had worked tirelessly in the first half without really posing much of a threat - gradually began to battle their way into contention. It was end-to-end to start with; McConalogue and Roberts combining to cut the ball back for Billy Gibson, but McGurn got down well to save his low drive. A similar move at the other end saw McPake and McAlister cut open the Jags defence but the cutback was parried by Arthur and then scrambled clear by the defence. Then Chris Millar was played in down the right, but his powerful half volley flew narrowly over at Arthur’s near post. The visitors were beginning to dominate more and more as the half wore on, with Thistle being unable to retain possession, but the Jags did relieve the pressure midway through the second half and could have delivered a sucker blow to Morton when Jimmy Gibson’s clever ball into the box fell to the feet of McConalogue 12-yards out, but despite having time to get it under control and pick his spot, he failed to get it on target. Even then the ball was only half cleared and Weatherson had to make a terrific block to deny Roberts. Jimmy Gibson was then harshly booked following a challenge for a 50-50 ball, which he appeared to win, but the Morton player came off worst in the inevitable collision. To make matters worse, Morton played on and only shouted for the ball to be put out of play when Thistle won possession, and Weatherson’s unsporting behaviour at the restart in knocking the ball out for a throw in deep in Thistle’s half then shouting at his teammates to put them under pressure left a nasty taste. Marc Smyth wasn’t too impressed and after having a go at the Morton player, both ended up with bookings. When play resumed, Morton continued to push hard for the equaliser and Weatherson was moved forward to give them three up front, and with eight minutes left their pressure eventually paid off when Hodge gave away yet another free kick out on the Jags left. The set piece was delivered by substitute John Adam and Arthur was left with no chance as Lilley rose high to firmly head the ball home. Morton would have hoped the momentum of scoring would give them the chance to go on and win the game, but it was Thistle who had the clearest chances in the closing stages. Kilgannon had a fresh air swipe at the ball after Roberts’ cross had only been cleared to him on the edge of the box, a last ditch clearance from Weatherson denied David Craig the chance to connect with Smyth’s free-kick and then the best chance of all came when Roberts showed good skill on the right, but his ball across the face of the goal just eluded the on-rushing Kilgannon. Right at the death Morton had a chance of their own to win it when Boyd’s slip gave McPake a glimpse of an opening, but he was under pressure from Smyth and Arthur made a good save low down to his left to deny him. A second goal for either side would have been harsh though, and neither manager could complain that a share of the points wasn’t deserved. It was very much a game of two halves with Thistle dominating the first and Morton having most of the pressure in the second, but while there weren’t a great deal of clear openings in the game, Thistle probably had the better chances to score. Man of the match:
STATS Attendance: 3,999
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