Partick Thistle 1-0 Saints

Saturday 28th October

A first half goal by Miles Storey defeated Saints in Maryhill this afternoon. The only goal of the game came on 14 minutes as Miles Storey used his pace to beat Joe Shaughnessy before slotting a low strike past Zander Clark from a tight angle.

Saints tried to get back into the match with Scott Tanser, David Wotherspoon, Michael O’Halloran and Aaron Comrie all having opportunities at goal however, they just couldn’t find a way past Czech keeper Tomas Cerny.

Today’s result leaves Saints in sixth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership with 15 points.

MATCH REPORT

Saints made the trip to Glasgow today to take on Partick Thistle at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. After Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Ross County at McDiarmid Park Tommy Wright made three changes to the starting eleven as Blair Alston, Michael O’Halloran and Steven MacLean all dropped to the bench to be replaced by David Wotherspoon, Liam Craig and Graham Cummins. There was one change to the Partick Thistle side that started Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Hamilton Accies as Connor Sammon came in for Kris Doolan who dropped to the bench.

Saints got the match underway and they created the first chance of the match after 2 minutes as Brian Easton’s cross into the box was knocked down by Graham Cummins to David Wotherspoon but the strike by the midfielder was saved by Tomas Cerny.

The next chance of the match came on 14 minutes and it would be the opener. Miles Storey picked the ball up on the halfway line and knocked it into space before using his pace to beat Joe Shaughnessy. The Thistle striker then advanced into the box before slotting a low ball past Zander Clark from a tight angle.

Saints tried to get a quick response and on 17 minutes Murray Davidson saw his shot turned behind for a corner by Cerny.

Saints were then forced into a change on 19 minutes as Michael O’Halloran came on for Stefan Scougall, who had been struggling after picking up a knock in the early stages of the match.

The home side continued to threaten and they came close to a second goal on 21 minutes as the Saints defence could only clear a Ryan Edwards free kick as far as Blair Spittal who’s a shot at goal went inches over.

Then 3 minutes later Saints were forced into another change as Scott Tanser came on for the injured Brian Easton.

The later stages of the first half was a rather tight affair. On 34 minutes Aaron Comrie did well to hold off the challenge from two Thistle players before crossing the ball into the box but it was too close to Cerny who easily gathered.

Saints upped the pressure in the early stages of the second half and they had an appeal for a penalty on 51 minutes waved away as Paul Paton went down following a challenge in the box. Play then continued and the ball broke to Tanser whose looping effort landed on the roof of Cerny’s goal.

Saints continued to press for the equaliser and both Wotherspoon and O’Halloran saw efforts at goal blocked by the home defence. Then on 62 minutes Wotherspoon flicked a ball to Comrie who was through on goal but his effort was well held by Cerny.

On 73 minutes Saints were awarded a free kick as Tanser was fouled by Paul McGinn. The free kick was taken by Paul Paton but his delivery into the box was well gathered by Cerny.

Despite all the pressure by Saints the home side could have got a second on 83 minutes but Clark made a good save to deny Spittal.

Saints continued to huff and puff as they looked for that elusive equaliser but as in recent weeks they just couldn’t get that bit of luck in front of goal as Thistle held out to secure the three points.

Partick Thistle: Cerny, Turnbull, Keown, Spittal (Woods 84), Lawless, Barton, Devine, McGinn, Sammon (Doolan 81), Edwards, Storey

Unused Substitutes: Scully (GK), Erskine, Nitriansky, Nisbet, Fraser

Booked: None

Scorer: Storey (14)

Saints: Clark, Shaughnessy, Anderson, Davidson, Wotherspoon, Comrie, Paton, Scougall (O’Halloran 19), Easton (Tanser 24), Craig (MacLean 71), Cummins

Unused Substitutes: Mannus (GK), Alston, Johnstone, Gilchrist

Booked: Craig

Referee: John Beaton

Attendance: 2,870

Match Report by Daryl Scott

Picture: Scott Tanser beats Connor Sammon to the ball