One team in Glasgow Partick Thistle

This match at Raydale this afternoon represented a seamless transition from one managerial era to another, as Thistle produced a familiar performance bereft of any real fighting spirit and including the defensive incompetence we have all become sadly accustomed to.

I have to say (© Derek Johnstone) that I am severely lacking in motivation to run through the details of this game – it seemed as if Thistle had accepted their fate very early on and were simply going through the motions. Indeed, possibly a defeat had been accepted even before the match kicked off as the Jags lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Sam Morrow having the utterly thankless task of trying to create something from the non-existent service provided by our midfield. His only reward was to be substituted for Allan Russell once a 4-4-2 was adopted midway through the second half, and it was not a decision he appeared especially pleased about.

Other changes included Scott Boyd in place of the suspended Archibald, and Billy Gibson replacing Derek Young. The two Gibsons and Darren Brady were the three central midfielders, with Adam Strachan wide left and Brown Ferguson wide right. Gretna were hit with a blow before kick-off when Ryan Baldacchino’s planned return to starting line up had to be scrapped when he limped out of the pre-match warm up, Erik Paartalu took his place while Gavin Skelton came in for Danny Grainger in midfield.

It now seems somewhat ironic, given what was to follow, that the first clear chance fell to Thistle after 5 minutes. A Strachan corner from the Thistle left eventually fell to Billy Gibson inside the area, and although his shot was well struck, it was blocked before it could trouble the Gretna keeper Ziggy Malkowski, on loan from Hibs. It turned out to be fully 80 minutes later that he would actually have to make a save.

The game soon adopted the pattern that would prevail for the vast majority of the 90 minutes, with Gretna dominating possession and Thistle sitting very deep and allowing them to attack us. This seemed to be working reasonably for the first 15 minutes, but a warning soon arrived with David Graham breaking through only to see his shot beat Tuffey and come back off the bar. It was a warning that would not be heeded.

Billy Gibson was maybe the one Thistle player today who looked as if he appreciated the growing seriousness of our league position, and he created a half-chance for Morrow after a good driving run past Gavin Skelton into the area. Unfortunately, the shot was dragged wide.

Around the half-hour mark we began to come under sustained pressure, with the defence and in particular Tuffey appearing uncomfortable under the bombardment of corners and long throws. This season we have rarely survived such periods, and so it proved again. Colin McMenamin had scored in the previous three games between the sides this season, so it was hardly surprising after 33 minutes to see him slot the ball under Tuffey after some bad defending.

It could have been 2-0 shortly after, with a hopeful ball from Skelton inexplicably allowed to find James Grady unmarked at the back post, and he probably should have done better than head onto the roof of the net.

Half time came shortly after, and there was always the hope that the influence of Terry Butcher in the dressing room may help to alter the flow of play towards the Thistle goal. If Butcher did say anything during the interval it made little difference, as Grady could have scored twice within 5 minutes of the restart. On both occasions he failed to hit the target despite having two decent chances, but it was inevitable that if Thistle continued to grant him the freedom of our area that he would sooner or later take advantage.

Thistle’s first effort of the second half came from the unlikely source of Mark McChrystal, who had only just replaced Craig Sives. He did well to get forward from left back, but his effort from Strachan’s pass flashed across the face of the Gretna goal. At this stage, with about 25 minutes remaining, Thistle did actually begin to gradually push Gretna back, but too often the newly formed front two of Strachan and Russell were isolated and unable to create any real chances.

This brief period of improvement was ended by a wild John Robertson shot that cleared both the bar and the stand, is in all likelihood is still rising, and if esteemed Home Secretary John Reid is to be believed, may soon need to come back through a border patrol in order to re-enter the country.

David Graham was causing no end of problems with his pace and willingness to take on defenders, and it was through his position on the left of Gretna’s front three that the second goal arrived after 70 minutes. There was virtually no pressure on him as he turned onto his right foot to cross, and even less pressure on Grady as he headed over Tuffey for what was, surprisingly, only his second goal of the season.

Everyone in the ground knew that the game was over at this point, and the remaining 20 minutes were a formality. Gretna had further efforts through Graham, Nicholls, and substitute Nicky Dervedics; there may have been others, but a pole was blocking part of the pitch, and by this stage I had no inclination to move in order to see around it. Thistle finally registered a shot on target with less than 10 minutes remaining. Malkowski, who will never have an easier afternoon, saving a low shot from Russell that, much like the team in general, lacked any real threat.

Man of the match:
BILLY GIBSON - In what was an insipid display, Gibson at least had one good chance and one good driving run into the area, and at least seemed to care about the fact that we have now failed to beat Gretna in 8 attempts.

Thistle: Tuffey 5, Sives 5 (McChrystal 54, 6), Robertson 5, Brady 4, Boyd 6, Smith 6, J Gibson 6, B Gibson 7, Morrow 5 (Russell 60, 6), Ferguson 4 (McConalogue 82), Strachan 6.
Unused subs; Arthur, Hodge.

Gretna: Malkowski, Barr, Skelton, Jenkins, Canning, Innes, Paartalu, Nicholls, McMenamin, Graham (Deverdics 82), Grady.
Unused subs; Fleming, Grainger, McGuffie, Berkeley.