Partick Thistle v Peterhead
Firhill Stadium
Saturday, December 19
3.00pm kick-off
Painful memories from 2006 were invoked when it came to discussing Peterhead’s trip to Partick Thistle today in what is the first meeting between the clubs outside of a League Cup tie in 2008 and it was not just promotion being snatched out of the Blue Toon’s hands that hurt.
Fourteen years ago the Balmoor men had more than one foot in the second level of Scottish Football for the first ever time after winning the first leg of the Play-off Final against Thistle 2-1.
Martin Bavidge struck early in the second leg to make it 3-1 and although Mark Roberts replied the aggregate score remained at 3-2 in Peterhead’s favour as the game moved into injury time. However a Billy Gibson free-kick that was deflected on its way into goal levelled the tie and the Glasgow side were the ones to be promoted after a penalty kick-out.
Peterhead manager Jim McInally still feels the disappointment of what happened and he wasn’t even in charge of the club then as he explained: “I know how much that goal hurt the people of Peterhead however I was still hurt by my Morton team losing to Peterhead in the play-off semi-finals.”
“It is amazing how football works out as I have been at Peterhead for over 9 years now and never faced Partick Thistle. It will be good to lock horns with Ian McCall again. I have come across him a good few times when he was at Ayr and he is a very good manager who will kick-start things at Partick.”
Jim will be quite happy to keep McCall waiting for a charge towards the top of the table as he explained: “Firhill is a good place to play football and we are looking forward to the game. It is a good pitch there and that will give both sides the chance to play good football.”
“No-one from outside of our camp will give us a chance of doing anything however we are in good spirits after beating East Fife last weekend. It is a big few days for us as we have Montrose at home on Tuesday. It would be great to be heading into that game having picked up something in this one.”
Peterhead Team News
Gary Fraser is available after the appeal into his sending off against East Fife last weekend was successful and Simon Ferry returns after a knock. Former Jag Andrew McCarthy has been ruled out with a knee injury with Ben Armour and Josh Mulligan continuing to be absent.
Jim said: “Andrew is really keen to play against his former side however I do not think he is going to be ready. Ben showed some signs of progress however come training on Thursday we knew that he would not make it. Simon is back and having Gary cleared to play means that i have choices to make which has not always been the case this season.”
Jim added: “I am aware that Thistle have a couple of players available again after injury however I do not think that they will change their team that much. They have been on a good run and will be looking to keep that going.”
Partick Thistle Team News
Ciaran McKenna and Zak Rudden are available for Partick Thistle when they take on Peterhead at Firhill however Jamie Sneddon, Thomas O’Ware, Andy Rodden, Blair Spittal and Salim Kouider-Aissa are again missing.
You can watch the game here – https://ppv.ptfcpass.co.uk/events
You can support the club through the 50/ 50 draw here – Peterhead FC – Virtual Weekly 50/50 Draw – Peterhead FC (clubforce.com)
