One team in Glasgow Partick Thistle

In a near action replay of last week’s encounter with Dunfermline (but with a much healthier crowd in attendance), Thistle dominated proceedings in the first half and did everything but score. Morton came into the game much more after the break and took advantage of a defensive error to snatch the lead. Despite missing a penalty, Thistle were able to level the scores from an unlikely source, but could not push on to secure the victory which their general play merited.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

The Thistle Board’s decision to admit children for free may not have had such a major impact on population movement as Caesar Augustus’ census decree that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, but it certainly induced more punters than usual to abandon home comforts or the attractions of shopping to brave the winter weather and flock to Firhill. There was no sign of the little donkey, but Chris Templeman was on the bench for Morton. The Christmas Storey was postponed, as Simon was also among the substitutes, but “Harkins” the herald angels sang, as Gary was restored to the starting eleven. There was no alternative showing of “The Life of Ryan”, as Mr McStay was nowhere to be seen.

The pre-match entertainment consisted of a Morton player being stretchered off during the warm-up (presumably he was No Well), prompting a reshuffle in the away ranks. After a few preliminary range-finding punts up the park, Thistle settled down to play some smart football. The pitch looked to be in better condition than last week and did not seem to deteriorate as the match progressed. This gave Thistle the confidence to bring the ball down and produce any number of neat passing movements mainly involving the ever industrious Rowson and the attacking triangle of Chaplain, Roberts and Buchanan.

The first chance fell to Liam on the edge of the box, but, being in the centre of the pitch, he was distracted by passing options on both sides. By the time he realised that the direct shot was the best choice, he was under pressure and off target. Robertson was being given acres of space down the right (would Storey have made more creative use of this?) and one of his forays ended up with a shot pulled just wide.

The best move began with Robertson pursuing a long diagonal ball. It was reminiscent of the race scenes from Chariots of Fire as time almost stood still. The whole crowd held its collective breath as the ball trickled towards the touchline and John strained every sinew in noble pursuit. Finally a despairing lunge propelled the ball forward towards the corner of the penalty box. Disbelief hung in the air as Gary Harkins proved that Leon Jackson was right in singing that “Miracles can happen” as he outpaced the defence (Yes, I repeat-Gary Harkins outpaced the defence!) to carry the ball towards the byeline and whip in an excellent low ball to the waiting Liam Buchanan. It would have been a goal to remember, but unfortunately a Morton player reached the ball almost simultaneously and the shot was squashed.

Chaplain then sprung the offside trap with a delicately timed and weighted ball that gave Mark Roberts five yards start on the defence and put him through one on one on the keeper. Unfortunately Marko decided to emulate the mother of the baby Jesus (“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke Chapter 2, verse 19)), by pausing for an eternity to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas before shooting lamely wide. I was halfway out of my seat in anticipation of a goal celebration, and as I subsided downwards, I was thumped from behind by another fan who was still on the way up!

The first half was well-rounded only to the extent that there were no corners, and, apart from an amazing about turn with the ball, wrongfooting two defenders, by Chaplain, the only other achievement of note was by Mark Twaddle. Far from being wrapped in twaddling clothes and laid in a manger, he seemed to catch a glimpse of Chris be Burgh’s spaceship and launched the ball heavenwards where it plugged beautifully in the gutter of the old Main Stand and did not fall back to earth.

Morton contributed as much to the first half as Joseph did to the Virgin Birth. Tuffey had one awkward cross to clutch, but apart from that he was untroubled and his defence patrolled efficiently. After much improvement in recent games, McKinlay reverted to anonymity, and the thought at halftime was that a well-timed substitution might just mean that Thistle could be as penetrating on the left as they had been on the right, and go on to make the breakthrough.

At halftime we had a Christmas visitor from the South rather than from the East, as we gave a warm welcome to John Dzandza, a Jags fan from Ghana who has spent several years fighting bureaucracy and red tape to obtain a temporary two week visitor’s visa to see his beloved team in action. This rather puts “I’d walk a million miles for one of your goals” into perspective. John was given right royal hospitality by the Club and ended up with a signed match ball presented by David Rowson. I trust that John avoids frostbite and enjoys the rest of his stay, including Christmas and New Year celebrations and at least a couple more Thistle games, and is able to invite us all back with him (if we can get visas!?) to sample the African Cup of Nations in his own backyard.

The Morton team made a declaration of intent by coming out very early to warm up for the second half. While Thistle were still sluggishly digesting their mince pies and brandy butter, Morton were clearly lifted by playing towards their own support behind the goal at the north end, and put on a much more energetic display. The Thistle defenders were having less time to settle on the ball. The first half confidence drained away, and time and time again possession was surrendered cheaply.

There were two consecutive glaring examples of this when both McKinlay and Archibald gave the ball away. Morton swarmed forward and there ensued what their famous fan Arthur Montford would have described as a “stramash” in the Thistle goalmouth. I would need a slow motion action replay to unpack all that happened as the ball pinged around the six yard box. I counted two desperate goal-line clearances and one great save from Jonny Tuffey as well as a shot from pointblank range hitting the inside of the post.

This miraculous escape should have sharpened Thistle’s sense of danger, but unfortunately the opposite happened. The usually solid and reliable Kinniburgh seemed to become confused as to what part he was supposed to be performing in the nativity play. As “King” forms part of his surname, did he imagine it was his task to distribute gifts to the opposition? Or did he think that a lonely shepherd shielding the ball and guiding it back to his keeper was not allowed to kick the ball? For whatever reason Kinniburgh, although well in front of the Morton player following up a long aimless punt, neither passed the ball back nor lashed it out of play, but instead stood with his back to the attacker. The Morton forward ran round him, took the ball and homed in on goal. Tuffey was commendably quick off his line and did well to smother the first shot. However, possession was speedily recycled and Jim McAllister drilled an unstoppable shot low into the corner of the net.

The ineffective McKinlay was replaced by Simon Storey who slotted into the defence. This changed the formation into something more like a 4-4-2 rather than the usual 5-3-2, with Gary Harkins now on the right side of the midfield, although it has to be said that the new shape was not rigidly adhered to! Harkins was booked rather harshly for his first significant foul after having shipped a fair amount of punishment. Buchanan failed to make the most of a reasonable opening, and then, somewhat to the consternation of the home support, found himself being substituted by the enigmatic Paul di Giacomo. Removing the League’s top scorer from the fray was a bold tactic by Ian McCall. Yet, despite his best efforts, it was not really happening for Liam and if his early departure preserves his freshness for the games ahead, then this will prove to have been a farsighted move.

Harkins yet again outflanked the Morton rearguard and did a push and chase of which Adam Strachan would have been proud, before trundling the ball into the penalty box. Marko did some trademark twisting and turning and worked his way free into a shooting position before he was scythed down. It was a stonewall penalty. Scott Chaplain had made a tidy job of his spot kick in the shoot out against St Johnstone. Mark Roberts had missed against Aberdeen and the other main candidate Liam Buchanan was no longer on the pitch. Chappie stepped forward confidently and struck his penalty low to McGurn’s left. It could have been a little wider and harder, and the keeper dived well to make an excellent save, especially as he was able to deflect the ball for a corner rather than pushing it back to the penalty taker, which would have been all too easy to do.

Twaddle halted a Morton counter-attack with a professional foul and could have no complaints about being booked. Storey produced a curling long range shot which McGurn palmed away. Gradually Thistle built up momentum in their attacks and, still enjoying vocal support from the crowd, forced Morton on to the back foot.

With just quarter of an hour to go, Chaplain chased an overhit cross and kept the ball in play at the left touchline. With his back to goal, it seemed that he would need help to extricate himself, but he was able to trundle the ball to the byeline and whip in a superb cross. Di Giacomo timed his run to perfection to reach the near post in front of his markers and angle his header into the net. This loan star is not the Messiah, but at least he will now leave behind some positive memories.

Thistle were the team who most wanted to go for the winner and Stevie Murray was brought on for the by now tiring Gary Harkins who had put in a strong shift. However, Thistle’s desire to get forward was rather undermined by the defence re-acquiring the disconcerting habit of winning the ball and then giving it straight back to the other team. Murray did his best to stir up the troops, but succeeded only in picking up a mysterious booking, apparently for mouthing at the assistant referee. There was a final panic at the Thistle end when a corner was needlessly conceded, but fortunately Morton were not able to take advantage of their last opportunity.

Yet another home league draw (now five in a row), but at least the general level of performance is far better than at the same time last season. If Chaplain, Roberts and Buchanan can add a little more luck and composure to finish off their fine attacking moves, then some team are going to be myrrhdered!

Man of the match: Scott Chaplain