Partick Thistle 0 Accies 1: 18 December 2004

Bell's Scottish Football League Division 1

Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, 18 December 2004

Report by Gilbert Mowat

This was one of those days when it was just great to be an Accies fan. The team turned in a performance that had guts, total concentration, complete commitment and energy to match the full time opposition.

The game had been built up by the media (and the Partick board) into something it really wasn't. Yes, it was a crucial "6 pointer" but with 17 games to go before relegation is confirmed for anyone it was NOT going to be decisive. That the Jags board decided to attach more significance to it by saying they would consider the positions of their management team afterwards was to me an act of great folly. All it achieved was to fire up Accies even more than they would have been - and with Allan Maitland taking on Gerry Britton motivation was not going to be a problem. It also heaped extra pressure on the Thistle players and their lack of confidence was evident throughout the game.

Allan Maitland said before the game that if people are telling you there will never be a better chance to win at Firhill then you can't go out and put 10 men behind the ball. So he went with a 4-4-2, with the usual solid back 4 of Iain Fyfe, Steven Thomson, Sandy Hodge and Mark McLaughlin. The midfield quartet was interesting, with Pat Keogh and David Hamilton alongside Derek Ferguson and Mark Corcoran. Scott Tunbridge and Brian McPhee were up front.

After the initial stage of the game, the first incident of real note came after 12 minutes when Jags player Ian Ross stamped on Pat Keogh. It led to a furious reaction from the Accies players and a bit of pushing and shoving from both sets of players, but referee Eddie Smith got things wrong when he only showed the player a yellow card. He should have walked for that. However, Accies got their revenge just a minute later when they scored the only goal of the game.

Having won their first corner, Mark Corcoran's effort went right into the danger area where it was headed behind his own goal by a defender. Corky's second corner kick met the forehead of Brian McPhee and his header soared past former Accies ball boy Kenny Arthur in the Thistle goal. This gave Accies a real boost and they gave as good as they got for the rest of the half. Pat Keogh came close to scoring when, after making a brilliant blocking tackle, he fired the ball goalwards only to be denied by a fine save by Arthur.

Mark Corcoran was really enjoying himself on the left wing and on one mazy run he confused a Jags player so much that he fell on his backside. I hear that he'll be popping in to the Western Infirmary today to gets his legs straightened out! Thistle had a couple of shooting opportunities as well but their efforts were lamentable. The best was a shot by Leigh Hinds that Dave McEwan tipped over the bar, but it was no more than a routine save for big Davie.

As the game wore on, and especially in the second half, Thistle had so much of the ball that they must have been sick of the sight of it. But their passing was poor, on umpteen occasions passes were put straight out of the park. They also came up against that brick wall that its the Accies defence, with all of the guys playing out of their skins. Dave McEwan, on the other hand, had a quiet game with just a bit of routine catching practice to deal with.

Although it was no repeat of the Dingwall tactics, Accies allowed thistle the ball and soaked up all their pressure before hitting on the counter attack. This plan went well and it was even better when Brian Carrigan replaced Scott Tunbridge. Tunbridge had done well, but carrots is a master at holding the ball up and spraying around killer passes. With the home side feeling deflated and the fans getting restless, Accies came very close to doubling their lead on three occasions. First of all, the Bee had a great header from a Corky cross tipped around the post by Arthur, then he latched on to a fabulous pass by Carrots only for Arthur to dive at his feet to save. Then Mark Corcoran was stopped by a great last man tackle when in a great position.

Thistle brought on the formidable figure of Armand Oné, but it made no real difference as he couldn't batter his way through. There were a few moments of concern but Thistle just looked as if they would never score. And they didn't!! Kenny Arthur looked distraught at the end as the enormity of the result sank in. The Bee consoled him, but he looked a forlorn figure as he walked off the park.

There were no failures for Accies but a special mention has to go to Allan Maitland for his selection and tactics, the back 4 for their resilience and concentration, Pat Keogh and Mark Corcoran in midfield and Brian McPhee and (later) Brian Carrigan up front. This was a great team effort and the better team won.

Partick: Arthur, Dowie, Murray, Madaschi, Gibson (One 70), McLaren, Ian Ross (Strachan 57), Fleming, Milne, Ramon (Mitchell 79), Hinds.

Subs Not Used: Bennett, Anis.

Booked: Ian Ross, Gibson, McLaren.

Hamilton: McEwan, Hodge, Thomson, McLaughlin, Fyfe, Hamilton, Ferguson, Tunbridge (Carrigan), Corcoran, McPhee, Keogh.

Subs Not Used: Jellema, Carney, Waddell, Carrigan, Aitken.

Booked: Hamilton, Keogh.

Goal: McPhee 13.

Att: 3,051

Ref: E Smith

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