Partick Thistle 3 Accies 0

Accies' league campaign suffered a massive blow on Saturday when they were heavily defeated at Firhill. Midfielder Kevin McKinlay led the way with two first half goals and a penalty from top scorer Liam Buchanan just after the break made the points safe for the home side. With Dundee drawing with Clyde at Broadwood, the lead at the top of the table has been cut to just two points.

Partick Thistle 3 Hamilton Accies 0

Irn Bru Scottish League Division 1

Firhill Stadium, Glasgow

Saturday 19 January 2008

This was perhaps Accies worst performance of the season. They failed to get going on the heavy Firhill surface and were simply outplayed by the home team. In fact, had it not been for the intervention of the crossbar, this defeat could have been much heavier.

Manager Billy Reid made the expected changes to the team that struggled against Brechin 7 days earlier, with skipper Alex Neil returning to the starting lineup along with Mark McLaughlin, Brian Easton and Richard Offiong. New signing Simon Mensing was also included, with David Winters and Mark Gilhaney relegated to the bench and Xavier Barrau omitted.

There had been concerns that the pitch would have been irreparably damaged by the rugby match played on it the night before, but it passed the early inspection although it was very bare and cut up as the game progressed. It seemed that the poor state of the pitch didn't bother the home team as they took charge of the game from the start. Accies did have the odd spell of decent play in the first half, but there can be no doubt that the Jags thoroughly deserved their two goal lead at the break.

The opening goal came after 24 minutes when Kevin McKinlay beat Bryn Halliwell at his near post and fired the ball high into the net. It was a poor goal for the Accies defence to concede but worse was to follow 10 minutes later when the same player got his head to a cross and the ball just beat Halliwell low down at the post.

Billy Reid made a quick substitution, with Gary Twigg coming on for Alex Neil. Accies found it hard to cope with the Thistle midfield and were fortunate not to lose further goals prior to the interval. The best of these was a shot from 15 yards that beat Halliwell but hit the crossbar.

The second half was only 10 minutes old when it was ended as a contest. Mark Roberts found himself in space inside the area and was about to shoot for goal when he was fouled by Mark McLaughlin. It was a clear penalty and Liam Buchanan made good job of sending Bryn Halliwell the wrong way from the spot.

There's not much consolation in telling you that Accies were the better team for the remainder of the game. Mark Gilhaney came on for Tom Parratt and, later, David Winters replaced David Graham. Mark Gilhaney showed real skill in beating the full back several times but the home defence did well to keep Accies at bay. A couple of efforts from Accies were blocked on the line as they threw almost everyone forward.

However, there was to be no luck for Accies and it has to be said that the home goalkeeper was very well protected.

There weren't many good performances from Accies in this game although they couldn't be faulted for effort. They just played badly and the home team played well. However, Dundee's draw at Broadwood means that Accies remain at the top of the league although with a reduced lead. If this run of indifferent form continues there may not be red & white ribbons on the league trophy at the end of the season.

Partick Thistle: Tuffey, Robertson, Twaddle, McKinlay (Donnelly 89), Storey, Archibald, Chaplain, Rowson, Buchanan (Murray 69), Roberts, Harkins (McKeown 79). Subs Not Used: Hinchcliffe, Keegan.

Goals: McKinlay 24, 35, Buchanan 55 pen.

Hamilton Accies: Halliwell, Parratt (Gilhaney 60), Easton, McCarthy, Elebert, McLaughlin, Mensing, McArthur, Offiong, Neil (Twigg 39), Graham (Winters 69). Subs Not Used: Gibson, Cerny.

Att: 2,409

Ref: I Brines

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