Match: Partick Thistle v Fraserburgh
Date: 19/07/2022
Venue: Firhill Stadium, Glasgow
Competition: League Cup, Group Stage
Entry Fee: £12
Travel: £2.70
Miles completed today: 14
Total miles remaining: 36062
Welcome to season 2. It was just over a year ago I embarked on an ambitious pilgrimage to see every team in Scotland’s pyramid play at home. If you’re here for the first time, hello!
I’ve chosen to start with an easy trip. The area is somewhere I know really well having walked the canal a hundred times when I lived close by. It is the turn of Partick Thistle for a Groundhopscot visit.
If there’s anything Scottish football does well it’s slagging each other. Partick Thistle supporters have gained a reputation as being rather posh and while it’s all stereotypical nonsense – that’s their place in the patter chain and they’ve to be fair, they’ve embraced it.
I’m of the opinion that every club has a USP or quirk and Partick Thistle’s is undoubtedly Kingsley. Never has a mascot been so brilliant yet terrifyingly baffling and a masterclass in PR at the same time. What is Kingsley? I’ve no idea. A monster of some sort that looks like nothing you’ve seen before but it’s iconic and I’d get more of a buzz out of seeing it than the kids.
The Ground
Firhill is a three stand stadium that the club have played at since 1909. The main stand is named after lotto winning super fan Colin Weir who gave his fortunes to the club in their time of need. Behind the goal is the ‘tell him he’s Pele’ John Lambie stand and I’d be sitting in the stand named after a man who spent 52 years representing the club in numerous capacities – Jackie Husband. It’s changed a lot over the years, the greyhound track is gone as is the terracing but it’s an impressive size in a convenient location.
One of the first sites you’ll see when walking to the ground is a fantastic painted mural of club legend Davie McParland who made almost 600 appearances for the club. The view was unfortunately obstructed by parked cars so I’ve used a picture I took a few months back when passing. Upon entering the turnstile I was greeted with a table with large cups of water available for all fans to take for free. A club thinking about their fans? That’ll never catch on, but well done Thistle!
It’s the hottest day of the year in Scotland and even walking at a leisurely pace from the city centre had me sweating so whilst the water was a simple thing to do it was much appreciated.
Another bonus of Firhill is their kebab pies. This was a terrific effort and I was more than happy to be lured away from my usual steak. Maybe a wee bit pricey at £3.50 but let’s not split hairs, there’s good scran and free water. 10/10.
Preview
It’s the League Cup group stages and Partick have given themselves a real chance. After a penalties win v Kilmarnock (gaining 2 points) and a win over Stenhousemuir, The Jags are clear favourites to win the group and qualify for the last 16.
The club have history in this competition winning it once in 1971. An unfancied Thistle side took on a Celtic side full of superstars in the height of their powers… and pumped them 4-1! Highlights of the game are on Youtube with Alex Rae’s opener well worth a viewing.
It’s also the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides. I’d seen the Broch lift the Highland League at the end of last season and they’re no mugs but I’ve been extremely impressed with Partick Thistle’s recruitment so far.
Harry Milne is one of the best left backs outside of the Premiership whilst McMillan, Fitzpatrick, Lawless and Muirhead are all familiar faces returning for another spell.
My only criticism is that the club struggled for goals in the second half of last season but two further additions in Cole McKinnon and Tony Weston on loan from Rangers bolster their attacking options and both come highly rated.
Odds:
Partick Thistle 1/8
Draw 13/2
Fraserburgh 18/1
I fancied a comfortable home win. The Broch are good but Partick look strong and I expected them to put on a show. The group stages tend to draw in lower crowds for all clubs so I’m not expecting a huge atmosphere. It’s essentially an extension of pre season and I doff my cap to the 30/40 Fraserburgh fans who made it down to Glasgow for an evening fixture – it’s some trip! Both clubs will have bigger fish to fry this season and that’s understandable.
The Game
The first chance of the game fell for Fraserburgh and it really been converted. Lewis Duncan’s ball from the left found Aidan Combe and despite the guy directly behinding me loudly shouting ‘aw naw’ the shot was tame and straight at Jamie Sneddon.
Partick Thistle took control of the match shortly after and this became the theme of the game. Kyle Turner had the best of the Jags opportunities coming close twice and despite bombarding the Broch box with corners, they were all dealt with partly due to the aerial dominance of Kieran Simpson at the back.
The opening goal was scored by Bryan Hay in the 33rd minute when he met Jack McMillan’s low cross at the back post but unfortunately for the Broch it was turned in to his own net.
Steven Lawless saw plenty of the ball and looked sharp whilst Thistle looked for the head of Brian Graham but there was no way through for the most part.
Partick should’ve went into the break with an extended lead but both Cole McKinnon and Cammy Smith missed one on one chances.
It was a comfortable half for Thistle but Fraserburgh were still in the game.
The Broch rolled the dice by bringing on Scott Barbour who scored 32 in 34 league games last season but their attacking threat was less than that of the first half.
In a much less eventful half of football we did see another goal. Kevin Holt pulled off the searching ball for Brian Graham that Thistle had unsuccessfully attempted numerous times previously and the big man controlled well before drilling the ball into the opposite bottom corner.
Partick Thistle were in total control and could’ve had a third as Tony Weston got in behind the defence but whilst his lashed effort was a good one, Joe Barbour’s was equal to it in an early save of the season contender.
Full time: Partick Thistle 2-0 Fraserburgh.
MOTM
Cole McKinnon gets both the official and my accolade. The young man is an exciting ‘bums off seats’ kind of player and I think Partick Thistle fans will enjoy watching him this season. He was Rangers B player of the season last term and made his first team debut on the last day. He’s comfortable on the ball, forward thinking and he won’t be short of goals and assists. Should’ve bagged a goal but that willingness to run from deep beyond a striker is a rare, sought after commodity and one I’m sure Thistle will benefit from over the course of the season. An excellent introduction to the Jags faithful.
Summary
The game panned out almost exactly as I’d expected. Partick in control and comfortable for the majority of the match. They can be more clinical but did what they had to do, got the job done and should they beat Montrose at the weekend they’ll be in the hat for the last 16.
Firhill is easy to get to, a decent atmosphere and the club are in a good place on the park. I don’t think they’ll be lifting the Championship title but I reckon they’ll be comfortably in the play-offs and see no reason why they can’t better last seasons fourth place and challenge for a Premiership spot.
If you’re still not convinced to make the trip, come for Kingsley alone!
Finally, credit to the Thistle Archive. An impressive collection of all things Partick Thistle and a site I used to learn more about the club. A wonderful resource.
GroundhopScot 