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Partick Thistle 1 v 1 Albion Rovers |  |
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Partick Thistle 1 v 1 Albion Rovers | |
| Tennent's Scottish Cup 1st Round 19th November 2005 |
Attendance : 1818
Scorers ~ Partick Thistle : Roberts (20). Albion Rovers : Donachy (56).
On paper the cup draw could scarcely have been more difficult, away to about the best team to grace the 1st round. However as head-coach Jim Chapman said when previewing the game Rovers had nothing to lose as all the expectations lay on the shoulders of the Thistle players. One novelty of the tie was Welsh referee Lee Evans from Bangor taking charge as part of a official exchange scheme between the SFA and FAW.
The 2nd division high fliers came out with all guns blazing, a Kilgannon ball missing McConalogue and falling to Mark Roberts who put his shot wide of the goal. In 5 minutes Donachy had Rovers fist shot but the weak attempt was blocked.
When Thistle were awarded a free-kick on the edge of Rovers penalty area Gillies was the man who put it into the side-netting. McConalogue then forced Jamie Ewings to save his shot after coming down the wing.
The Jags squandered a better opportunity shortly afterwards when Kilgannon swung in a cross onto Roberts' head but the glancing header was just put out by Ewings. A good move by Rovers involving Scott Friel ended when Donachy had his shot blocked.
Some well judged defending by Friel and Lennon put paid to other Thistle moves around this time. McConalogue with a woeful side footed shot from 5 yards after excellent build-up by his team-mates then a Roberts inswinger went across the Rovers goal and out.
A few more failed Partick attempts preceded their goal in 20 minutes when a Kilgannon corner which Rovers defence failed to deal with was scrambled into the net by Roberts from around 6 yards out. Roberts heading a Kilgannon cross past was followed by Scott Chaplain hitting a free-kick into the homesters box which failed to trouble the defence too much.
A Kilgannon pass to Roberts on the edge of the "d" at Rovers end of the park saw the veteran striker try to lob Ewings who was off his line, it was however a feeble attempt! Donnelly became the first man to incur the wrath of the Welsh whistler when he received a yellow card for a foul.
A Ewings save from a weak header was soon followed by Donnelly's curling free-kick towards the goal which was saved by Stewart. In 36 minutes Darren Brady had an open goal which he couldn't take advantage of, Ewings doing his best to foil the midfielder. Reid had a less than perfect shot miss the Thistle goal before a Chaplain crossed to give him another chance and the resulting shot was too high.
Ewings was then called into action when he intercepted a high ball by Kilgannon. Rovers had a fighting finish to the half with Wallace and Chaplain troubling the home defence. Ewings had to be quick to punch clear a Kilgannon free-kick.
With seconds of the first period remaining Rovers captain Scott Friel was to get a caution from Mr. Evans which would have serious ramifications later on. On the stroke of half-time Gillies rattled the ball of Ewings right-hand post.
Half-Time
George Wallace was the first to impress in the second period when his header was intercepted before Donachy could take advantage of it. Wallace was next to incur the wrath of Mr. Evans when his head came into contact with a Thistle man.
In 56 minutes the Maryhill side were left to rue their failure to convert their possession into goals when Rovers equalised. Stephen Donachy scored what may well be the Rovers goal of the season when he took advantage of a Roberts error in the middle of the park. Running goalward side-stepping several defenders en-route he coolly slotted the ball low into the Jags net sparking rapturous celebrations amongst the travelling support who were seated behind the goal.
The same man had a shot blocked shortly afterwards then Rovers suffered a potentially fatal blow to their cup aspirations when captain Scott Friel received a 2nd booking and red card for apparently bringing down an opposition player approaching Rovers penalty area.
Amazingly 10 man Rovers had Partick panicking in defence for a period after the red card, although they regained some composure McConalogue seeing his strong shot punched clear by the Rovers stopper. Firhill gaffer Dick Campbell whose Brechin side was put out of the CIS cup at Cliftonhill last season brought on Finn Jukka Santala on loan from Rangers in an attempt to regain the advantage.
Jim Chapman (serving the 2nd of his 2 match dugout ban) replaced the tiring Reid with Lennox. More ineffective pummeling of Rovers defence ensued before Wallace went on a foray towards the Thistle goal passing to Chaplain whose shot was saved by Stewart.
The dying minutes were punctuated by Rovers subs with Wilson replacing Gordon Lennon who had a taken a knock and Lee Sichi going on for goal hero Stephen Donachy. Within seconds of entering the field Sichi picked up a booking for kicking the ball away at a Partick free-kick.
Fans of both sides were on the edge of their seats for the seemingly endless injury time added by Mr. Evans.
Summary
A very difficult match for Rovers but their spirit shone through delighting Rovers fans who could have been mistaken for supporters of cup winners at the final whistle! A replay at Cliftonhill is the fitting reward for a battling Rovers side who may not find it easier this time around without the suspended Friel and maybe an injured Lennon too.
Partick Thistle : Stewart, Murray, Craig, Billy Gibson, Smyth, Brady, Jimmy Gibson, Gillies, McConalogue, Roberts (Santala), Kilgannon (Strachan). Subs Not Used : Arthur, Snowdon, McGoldrick.
Albion Rovers : Ewings, Black, McGhee, Lennon (Wilson), Donnelly, Friel, Reid (Lennox), Chaplain, Wallace, Bonnar, Donachy (Sichi). Subs Not Used : Creer, Young.
Referee : Lee Evans
Man of the Match - Stephen Donachy
