Wednesday 10 May 2006
| Thistle 1 - 2 Peterhead
Written by Lianne |
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| Wednesday, 10 May 2006 | |
| Thistle took the lead at home against Peterhead for the first time this season, but failed to build on it their fine first half display, and it was the visitors who gain the upped hand in the play-off final with two goals in the second half.Faced with task of blunting the quick Peterhead attack, Jags boss Dick Campbell opted to put Scott Boyd straight back into the heart of the defence alongside Sandy Hodge, with Marc Smyth moving forward to replace the injured Darren Brady in midfield. That was the only change to the Thistle line-up. Likewise, the Peterhead side showed just one change from Saturday’s win over Morton, Allan Youngson replacing Keith Gibson.
With Peterhead holding the upper hand in the previous meetings between the sides this season, Thistle were keen to take the game to their North-East opponents and created the first chance of the game when Roberts cushioned a pass wide to strike partner McConalogue and his low shot produced a fine one-handed save from the keeper. But it was a cagey opening to the game and we had to wait until the 15th minute for the next piece of goalmouth action, when Adam Strachan’s pace took him past two players on the left wing, and his low cross had to be scrambled clear by the Peterhead defence. The visitor’s responded by creating the best chance of the game when Arthur had to race to the edge of his box to clear with Linn racing onto a through ball, the Jags keeper didn’t get much on the ball though and Buchan was able to set up Youngson, he had the time to compose himself before lofting the ball towards the unguarded net, but Boyd had got back and was on hand to head clear off the line. Midway through the half Thistle created an equally good chance to open the scoring when McConalogue ran onto Roberts ball over the top and cut the ball back for Strachan, but his left-foot drive from 12-yards sailed over the bar with the young midfielder blaming a bobble on the rutted Firhill surface for his miss. Thistle were enjoying most of the possession by now, and although Linn curled an effort just wide after a quick break by Graeme Sharp, it was Thistle who looked the most likely to open the scoring, and although good play by Roberts just after the half hour mark came to nothing when Murray’s attempt at goal spun in to the waiting arms of the keeper, we didn’t have long to wait for the opener. Roberts was again involved, collecting a pass from Jimmy Gibson on the left before lofting the ball across goal, it looked too high for Billy Gibson, but the midfielder seemed to hang in the air before placing a header high into the top corner to put the Jags 1-0 up. Thistle continued to push forward and five minutes later McConalogue’s cutback was only half-cleared, it fell invitingly for the onrushing Murray, but his was a typical defender’s finish, plenty of power but little accuracy. Chris Hegarty replaced Youngson early in the second half as Peterhead boss Iain Stewart looked to alter his tactics, but in the opening stages it was still Thistle who looked the stronger side. Mark Roberts came agonisingly close to adding to his tally for the season when he combined with McConalogue inside the box and cleverly lofted the ball towards goal, but it took a slight deflection and dipped narrowly over the bar. From the resultant corner, Scott Boyd’s header was straight at keeper Paul Mathers. There wasn’t the same urgency about Thistle in the second half, and Peterhead handed them a warning in the 56th minute when the ever-dangerous Bobby Linn raced onto Jamie Buchan’s searching pass, Hodge failed to cut it out leaving the former Dundee striker one-on-one with Kenny Arthur, but the Jags keeper denied him with an excellent stop before Hodge recovered to clear the loose ball. But Thistle didn’t heed the warning and just three minutes later Peterhead were on level terms. Substitute Chris Hegarty whipped a low ball into the box and although Arthur looked to have it covered, Sharp nipped in and got his foot to the ball just as Kenny went to collect, and it ended up in the back of the net. So despite Arthur’s protestations, the game was now all square. McConalogue’s half-volley brought out a fine one-handed save from Mathers the 63rd minute but it was Peterhead who were in the ascendancy now and Linn should have put them in front seconds later when he again beat the offside trap but shot wide with only Arthur to beat. The crowd tried to roar Thistle on but it was a very flat performance from the Jags in the second half, although Adam Strachan gave the fans some brief hope with a fine run in the 81st minute. He drove forward at pace, running right at the defence before cutting inside and hitting a fine shot that looked to be heading towards the top corner but agonisingly went just the wrong side of the far post. With time running out Thistle were made to pay for their poor second half display when substitute Martin Bavidge was able to turn away from two Thistle defenders on the edge of the box and drive forward before tucking the ball low past Arthur to give Peterhead a vital lead. It was very much a game of two halves, with the Thistle of the second half looking a shadow of the side who deservedly were in front at the interval – and it leaves it all to do for Thistle in the second leg on Sunday. Peterhead, who again showed that they are a well-organised and very capable side, will thrive on being able to sit back and hit the Jags on the break, and it’ll take Thistle’s best performance of the season to come from behind to win promotion now. Man of the match:
STATS Attendance: 3,869
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