Tuesday 14 March 2006
| Thistle 2 - 1 Dumbarton
Written by Kenny Pieper |
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| Tuesday, 14 March 2006 | |
| On a freezing cold night, a sparse crowd witnessed Thistle ease back into third place. But it was another uninspiring display from Thistle, even though the 2-1 scoreline perhaps flattered Dumbarton more than it did the home side.After Saturday’s dismal draw with Ayr, Dick Campbell promised big changes but there were no huge surprises for tonight’s rearranged game with Dumbarton at Firhill. Paul Ritchie and Ricky Gillies returned to the side in place of Sandy Hodge, who missed out completely, and Adam Strachan who dropped to the bench. Fans’ favourite Darren Brady was, to the amazement of some, switched to right back to allow Grant Murray to deputise in the centre back position.
Things started in a similar fashion to Saturday with Thistle attempting to impose themselves on the game early on. Brady began confidently in his new role and in the opening minute he put McConalogue free on the right. While his final ball across goal disappointingly missed everyone, it was a bright start to the game. In 7 minutes, Scott McCulloch put McConalogue away down the left this time and some tricky footwork and a one two with ‘Boab’ released Roberts in the area but his shot went wide. Dumbarton were not quiet for long, however, and after 10 minutes they sprung into action. Some excellent play put McQuilken through on the right hand side of the penalty area and, with an extra man free on the far side it looked like a goal was inevitable. But McQuilken took the wrong option, playing the ball to Boyle who sent it over the bar - an early warning for Thistle nonetheless. Soon after this, some intricate passing in midfield saw the increasingly impressive McConalogue send Brady into space approaching the Dumbarton penalty area on the right. His excellent cross was well met by Ritchie, whose header was well held by the keeper. Thistle were in control at this point and almost constant possession was to pay after 26 minutes. A Ricky Gillies corner to the near post brought a flashing header from Roberts and the keeper saved well, tipping the ball just over. The subsequent corner found McConalogue this time, unmarked, and his shot was also well–saved and put behind for a corner. This time Thistle made it count. Played to the far side of the penalty area, some scrappy play led to a cross from the left and Mark Roberts scored with a spectacular overhead kick. Thistle, without being in total control, certainly deserved their lead. After Saturday’s performance, it was hoped that Thistle would take hold of the game against a poor Dumbarton side but it wasn’t to be and we proceeded to make heavy weather of the game and make life difficult for ourselves. The Jags did almost made it 2-0 after 32 minutes when a powerful Ritchie nod on was placed in the back of the net by Roberts, but he was unfortunately in an off-side position. Dumbarton were beginning to get into the game more and more and arguably finished the first half as the better side. In the lead up to half time, they had appeared to camp themselves just outside the Thistle box with some dominant possession. However, their inability to make that possession count resulted in a breakaway after 40 minutes. A Boyd clearance found Billy Gibson in midfield and his excellent vision put Ricky Gillies through on goal. With only the keeper to beat, he wasted his chance with a dreadful first touch and the chance was gone. Dumbarton responded with an excellent move of their own, some clever passing and a cross from Borris found McQuilken in space in the area, but from a great position his volley went just over the bar. Another warning for Thistle as the half ended with Dumbarton dominating. The second was, until late on, a dismal affair with little to speak of in terms of goal mouth action but the first incident was an unpleasant one. Dumbarton midfielder Craig Winter went down in a somewhat innocuous challenge and appeared to pick up a bad injury. The call for a stretcher took some time and the player looked to be badly hurt and he was replaced by Graham Connell. Dumbarton continued to see much of the ball in a game becoming worryingly similar to Saturday. But just after the hour mark, Thistle sprung to life and doubled their lead. Billy Gibson battled to win the ball in midfield and fed Roberts. He passed it forward to Ritchie who held it up well before playing a beautiful pass to McConalogue running in on goal. Stef took the ball forward and waited for the keeper to make his move before sliding it cleverly through Grindlay’s legs and into the back of the net. Surely Thistle couldn’t throw another 2-0 lead away? However, like Ayr on Saturday, Dumbarton responded well and could have scored immediately. Good work by Borris found Gemmell free in the box but the big ex-Thistle reserve headed narrowly by. The game was promising to open up now and Dumbarton made a last throw of the dice with a double substitution to try and force things. The arrival of Andy Rogers seemed to spark them into life and he looked their best player, seemingly involved in everything positive they did. Thistle were still a threat too, and another good move involving man of the match McConalogue saw him hold the ball up well before putting Jimmy Gibson through on goal. However, his reluctance to shoot meant he ran on and on before, somewhat fortunately, winning a corner which was subsequently wasted. Adam Strachan replaced the tiring Roberts in the 73rd minute and he was immediately involved in a move which sent Gillies clear on the right. He appeared to run the ball too far but managed to send an exquisite chip over the keeper, and only narrowly over the bar. If it was an attempt on goal it was magnificent.On 82 minutes, a free kick from Ryan Borris was headed out by Jimmy Gibson, straight to the Ferguson who hit it over the bar but Dumbarton were still pushing. Pronevych replaced Ritchie with five minutes to go but apart from rugby tackle within about 30 seconds he was to achieve nothing. Five minutes of extra time were added after the earlier injury, and Dumbarton made that a very uncomfortable period by piling the pressure on in search of a goal. Kenny Arthur looked to have done enough to keep a clean sheet when he superbly denied Gemmell from close range, but the Sons were then handed a perfect opportunity to score when Nicholas was judged to have fouled sub Ian Russell for a penalty. Kenny Arthur, once again, saved superbly but could do nothing as Boyle reacted quickest to slam the rebound into the roof of the net. This was the last kick of the game and Thistle had deserved their win. Having said that, it was an unconvincing performance, only slightly better than Saturday, and you have to worry about the prospect of Gretna rolling up next weekend. On recent form, the Jags will be hard pushed to avenge that 6-1 defeat at Raydale, especially if, as feared, Grant Murray joins Marc Smyth on the sidelines with a suspected fractured cheekbone which could rule him out for the rest of the season. Man of the match:
STATS Attendance: 1538
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