with thanks to Andy Burns for the photos !!!!!
Partick 0 Saints 4
Team ::
Main,McQuillan,Davison,Attila,Weir,Griffin,Scott,O'Halloran,Grant,
Colquhoun,Jenkinson
Subs :: Tosh,Preston,McAnespie
This is more like it - a sunny afternoon in a nice stand (we were all in the new Jackie Husband stand at Firhill), an excellent travelling support and one of the best performances of recent months by a fired-up Saints side who have all but clinched the title now. And after a nasty throat infection this week I even managed to keep some of my voice after the game. Enough to buy the 96-97 champions flag for use next week.
Despite the scoreline the gam was fairly even for the first 20 mins or so. Attila came close for Saints with a header which was saved well by the Partick goalie. Saints dominated the midfield for the entire game with Phizzy and new signing Keef O'Halloran both looking really good. It was Phizzy who got Saints first goal when he latched on to a loose through ball to beat the defence and send a low shot under Cairns in goal. 10 mins later and we were 2-0 up as Phizzy sent in a fantastic diving header. It could have been 3 as well when Colquhoun broke through and beat 2 defenders before sending in a weak shot. Partick had their moments as well and Main was forced to make a couple of saves. Saints defence looked rock solid though with Weir playing out of his skin and Davison looking like a natural left-back. He is also managing to team up well with Jenko on the wing and the pair of them came in for a lot of attention from the Partick defence, as did Dino who was victim of a couple of really nasty tackles.
Second-half started in the same way when Jenko won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Up stepped Dino to blast home a beauty with the Partick keeper left standing. The 4th came 10 mins later when a loose high passback was fluffed by the keeper and Roddy headed home. Cue departures of the 'Firhill Faithful' (c. Waily Retard), and chants of 'Murdo get tae fuck' by the remaining Fissel intelligent elite. Oh how we laughed.
Thistle forced their way back into the game as Saints eased up and hit the woodwork twice although the second one was a shot off the post by a certain R. Grant. However, Saints never looked in any real danger and with the introduction of the subs for Colquhoun (knackered), Dino (knocked) and Scott (knackered), they pressed forward more with Tosh greedy of wasting a good opportunity in the box by pushing forward instead of passing. Both O'Halloran and McAnespie had good efforts but the score remained the same.
A wee word for Firhill - the new stand is excellent, definitely better than the deathtrap we usually get. Anyway, alls well and its great to be a Saintee - time to break out the party frocks for next week !!!!
