Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Arbroath

Partick Thistle 1 – 0 Arbroath

Partick Thistle vs Arbroath – Dick Campbell Post Match Interview

Arbroath were narrowly edged out of the Premier Sports Cup at Firhill on Tuesday night thanks to a Aidan Fitzpatrick headed goal 7 minutes from time.

Although Arbroath almost took the game to extra time as just two minutes later they first hit the post from a corner before Scott Allan had a goal bound shot cleared off the line by Harry Milne.

Going into the game Arbroath were without 4 players. The suspended Thomas O’Brien who picked up two yellow cards in the group stage, whilst Colin Hamilton missed out with a hamstring problem, David Gold tries to recover from a muscle strain and Nicky Low was unavailable.

Derek Gaston was in goals, with Scott Stewart at right back, with Jason Thomson joining Ricky Little in the centre and Mason Hancock at left back. Despite playing for Aberdeen in the Group stages, the laws of this cup competition meant he could play for Arbroath this evening.

Fosu, McKenna, Jacobs and Linn made up the midfield with Scott Allan just behind Dale Hilson.

Partick Thistle started strongly as Arbroath struggled to get into the game, but with 5 minutes gone Daniel Fosu almost was in the right place at the right time as nobody picked up a Bobby Linn cross and it meant he was just inches away from poking the ball into the net.

Derek Gaston saved from Ross Docherty and then Steven Lawless in the 8th minute as Thistle pressed before Jason Thomson blocked a fierce Ross Docherty shot which looked like it was headed towards goal.

Anton Dowds should have opened the scoring in the 28th minute but hit a shot over the bar from close range.

Dowds was denied again by Gaston who made an excellent save in the 42nd minute to deny the former loan star.

As the half time whistle blew Arbroath had definitely weathered a storm, but the make shift defence had done really well.

Arbroath had only two half chances as both Jacobs and Linn fired over the bar from distance.

Half Time – Partick Thistle 0 – 0 Arbroath

Scott Tiffoney fired high and wide right just as the second half started.

Arbroath’s bad luck continued as Jason Thomson had to leave the field with a knee injury as James Craigen came on to play at right back with Scott Stewart playing alongside Ricky Little at the back.

Partick Thistle were again dangerous on the attack, but they still didn’t take their chances with the Arbroath defence doing well combined with some off target shooting.

Deri Corfe replaced Bobby Linn on the hour mark with James Craigen curling a shot over in the 70th minute.

Derek Gaston made a brilliant one handed save to deny Dowds yet again pushing an angled drive out for a corner in the 72nd minute.

Scott Allan fired wide in the 75th minute but just 8 minutes later and Partick had finally got the goal they had been threatening with all match.

Aidan Fitzpatrick flicked in a Steven Lawless cross looping it from front post to back post to give the home side the lead.

Arbroath pressed and the shot coming off the post before Allan’s shot cleared off the line was the best and closest chance Arbroath had all match in the 85th minute.

Ricky Little had a header saved in the 88th minute but with 4 minutes of stoppage time there was no goal for the Lichties and Partick Thistle deservedly progress to the next round.

Thank you to all the Lichties who made the trip. As Always your support is much appreciated.

Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson (Craigen 53)
4 – Ricky Little (c)
8 – Michael McKenna
9 – Dale Hilson (Paterson 83)
10 – Keaghan Jacobs
11 – Bobby Linn (Corfe 60)
12 – Scott Stewart
18 – Mason Hancock
23 – Scott Allan
27 – Daniel Fosu (Shanks 83)

Arbroath substitutes
14 – Dylan Paterson – 9; 83rd
16 – Kieran Shanks – 27 – 83rd
17 – Deri Corfe – 11; 60th
28 – James Craigen – 2; 53rd
21 – Cammy Gill (GK)

Yellow Cards – Hilson 48, McKenna 90

Attendance 1960

Referee: John Beaton
Assistant Referee: Ross MacLeod
Assistant Referee: Graham McNeillie
Fourth Official – Grant Irvine