Archives | Partick Thistle 1 Dunfermline 0

Dunfermline returned to the Wyre Stadium at Firhill hoping for the win that would make it back to back victories there over the Jags. James McPake made one enforced change to the side that defeated Raith Rovers eight days before with Deniz Mehmet starting in place of Tobi Oluwayemi whose was out was a niggling thigh injury.

Partick Thistle boss Kris Doolan made two changes to his starting eleven Aidan Fitzpatrick and Kanayo Megwa coming in for Casper Nilsson and Ben Stanway. Thistle convincingly beat Queen`s Park in their last home league match but then they lost to Alloa Athletic in the SPFL Trust Trophy and having lost to Clyde at home earlier in the season, the home faithful would be hoping for three points.

The teams emerged through an avenue of yellow and red chequered flags and it was the home team that kicked off attacking the goal at the end in front of their own fans. Mehmet`s first touch was a header to clear a Sam Young header back to him in second minute. Both sides showed early intent to attack and on three minutes a Megwa break saw him cross into the Pars six yard box from the right side. Tommy Fogarty`s attempt to clear only just slipped wide of the left goalpost.

That corner was defended but a Harry Milne 1-2 with Fitzpatrick earned another corner from the left five minutes later that Lewis McCann headed away. There was a three minute stoppage after Fogarty and Milne clattered into each other. Both physios came on and worked their magic allowing both players to continue but with the on-loan Birmingham City player a yellow card to the good.

The pace of Ablade and Megwa in particular was causing Dunfermline problems and Chris Hamilton was next to be shown yellow when he clumsily floored the latter. David Wotherspoon went down a minute later and unable to continue he was replaced by Matty Todd. An early return for the player given the green light on Monday to play after surgery was required when playing in the first pre-season friendly of the season.

Mehmet made a brave save at the feet of Ablade in 25 minutes before Hamilton headed the Fifers first corner of the afternoon over the crossbar. Luke McBeth`s attempt at the other end from a Kyle Turner corner went the same way. Kane Ritchie-Hosler was the first player to shoot at goal but his 40th minute effort from 20 yards out went close but wide left.

Aaron Comrie forced another corner with two minutes of the 45 remaining but before Todd could deliver, Tommy Fogarty had to go off and Sam Fisher came on. In time added on at the end of the half, Mehmet held the first on target effort of the match, a low shot from Megwa from outside the box.

It had been a fiercely contested first 45 minutes punctuated by a number of fouls. The sides had managed one shot apiece and understandably it was goalless at the interval.

Half time: Partick Thistle 0 Dunfermline 0

The second half had gone just 30 seconds when Fitzpatrick launched a low shot at goal but Comrie blocked the effort. The match became pretty scrappy but in 54 minutes Mehmet made a good save with his feet to prevent Graham netting a through pass from Ablade but unknown to both, the offside flag had been raised.

Signed the previous day, Craig Clay came on for his Dunfermline debut and it was Lewis McCann who would replace him. The home fans showed their disagreements with referee Euan Anderson`s decisions and Kyle Turner was shown yellow for voicing his. A Todd free kick from 30 yards was driven into the defensive wall and then a Kieran Ngwenya cross in 61 minutes was headed just outside the left upright by Fisher.

With twenty minutes remaining Young was shown yellow as he was forced into stopping Ablade`s run up the right touchline and from the resultant free kick Aaron Muirhead`s header was kept out by the crossbar. Crawford earned a 76th minute corner that Kane met first to get away. Craig Wighton and Josh Cooper then were the double substitution that saw Chris Kane and Kane Ritchie-Hosler withdrawn. Immediately the Pars combined in the Thistle box but their sub Lee Ashcroft blocked the attempt at goal.

Ngwenya was the fourth Pars yellow as he conceded a free kick in a dangerous position on the right but Daniel O`Reilly headed the delivery over the bar. Dunfermline were put under considerable pressure as the home side pushed for the winner. Young did well to intercept a pass to Logan Chalmers and Fisher was called into headed clearances too. However the defence could not hold out and lost to a 89th minute goal. Aidan FITZPATRICK evaded challenges and despite the efforts of Comrie and Fisher the 23 year old Jag crashed the ball past Mehmet. 1-0

There would be no way back for Dunfermline, Partick took the three points and moved into fourth place. The Pars go eighth, Raith are ninth both level on points with Airdrieonians in tenth.

PARTICK THISTLE: Myles Roberts: Aaron Muirhead (Lee Ashcroft 78), Luke McBeth, Daniel O`Reilly, Harry Milne: Kanayo Megwa, Kyle Turner (Ben Stanway 67), Robbie Crawford, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Terry Ablade (Logan Chalmers 74), Brian Graham (c)`¨SUBS NOT USED: Casper Nilsson, Ricco Diack, Charlie Sayers, James Lyons, Liam Smith, Mason McCready (Gk)
YELLOW CARD: Turner (61), Muirhead (74)

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Tommy Fogarty (Sam Fisher 44), Sam Young, Kieran Ngwenya: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Josh Cooper 77), Chris Hamilton (c), David Wotherspoon (Matty Todd 24), Ewan Otoo: Lewis McCann (Craig Clay 57), Chris Kane (Craig Wighton 77)`¨
SUBS NOT USED: Joe Chalmers, Taylor Sutherland, Tobi Oluwayemi (GK), Lewis Briggs (GK).
YELLOW CARDS: Fogarty (16), Hamilton (22), Young (70), Ngwenya (84)

REFEREE: Euan Anderson
ATTENDANCE: 4301 inc 713 away fans
WEATHER: Cloudy 16°C

NEXT MATCH: (home) v Queen`s Park, Saturday 28th September 2028, kick off 3.00pm

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