Match Report
With a place in cup final in 37 years at stake Ian McCall made a bold team selection for the Challenge Cup Semi-Final with Airdrie United. Craig Hinchcliffe replaced an on international duty Jonny Tuffey while Chris Turner and Kevin McKinlay were drafted in with Paul Paton dropping to the bench. On the bench Paton, Scott Murray, Steven Lennon and Scott Chaplain were joined by Liam Buchanan who had been missing injured since February.
It took just three minutes for the game to have its' opening goal and it came the way of the visitors. A Paul Di Giacomo run was allowed to go unchecked and when the former on loan Jag shot from the edge of the box he was able to find the corner of the net despite Hinchcliffe getting a hand to the ball.
Airdrie United could have stretched their lead in the 13th minute. Di Giacomo miscued shot fell to McDougall but on this occasion Hinchcliffe was able to produce a fine save.
Thistle finally showed some life themselves in the 17th minute. A Simon Donnelly pass found Mark Roberts in space although Roberts was unable to take advantage of the opportunity the ball was worked into the path of Chris Turner and his fierce shot was pushed out by Robertson in the Airdrie United goal with Stephen McKeown unable to direct the rebound goalwards.
David Rowson had a glimpse of goal in the 22nd minute after Robertson's punch fell to him at the edge of the box but his shot was deflected wide of goal for Thistle's first corner of the afternoon.
A Di Giacomo snap shot following a Maxwell error in the 28th minute that Hinchcliffe saved provided Thistle with a reminder that the loss of a second goal could well prove fatal to Thistle's Challenge Cup hopes.
An excellent John Robertson tackle on Simon Lynch advanced into the box denied Airdrie United the opportunity to score that second goal and from the corner that followed Hinchcliffe needed to be well placed to save a header as the Thistle fans grew increasingly restless.
Stephen McKeown threaded through a pass to Mark Roberts in the 38th minute but Roberts had strayed just offside as Thistle posed a rare threat to the Airdrie United defence.
Marc Twaddle briefly raised Thistle's hopes in the very next attack but his cross after working himself into a promising position was a poor one.
David Rowson sent a shot from distance over the bar as the half-time whistle approached with Airdrie United more than good value for their one goal lead.
Thistle started the second half with Paul Paton on for Stephen McKeown.
Paton was in the thick of things for Thistle as the Jags searched for an equaliser. 10 minutes into the second half he saw a shot blocked by an Airdrie United defender before he sent over a cross to the back post that Simon Donnelly nodded wide of goal.
Thistle were inches away from restoring equality on the hour mark when Kevin McKinlay smacked a shot off the underside of the Airdrie United crossbar. .
Ian McCall introduced his second substitute a minute later and Liam Buchanan received a fantastic reception when he replaced Mark Roberts.
The second half performance from Thistle was much improved and the Airdrie United defence did well to clear a Chris Turner cross when danger threatened.
Thistle were pressing hard for an equaliser and with 19 minutes remaining Liam Buchanan saw a show saved by Robertson after collecting a pass from Chris Turner.
It took a fantastic defensive tackle to deny Simon Donnelly a scoring opportunity after being set up by Liam Buchanan.
Robertson did well to punch over a McKinlay header as Thistle continued to press for what was fast becoming an elusive equaliser.
With ten minutes left Ian McCall made his final change of the
afternoon when Scott Chaplain came on in place of David Rowson.
With five minutes remaining Airdrie United missed a fantastic chance to make sure of their berth in the final. Ian Maxwell fouled Stuart Noble but Hinchcliffe was able to save Di Giacomo's penalty with his feet.
Paul Di Giacomo had another great chance to make sure of Airdrie United's passage to the final. After collecting a Noble pass he was thwarted by a fine Hinchcliffe save.
Deep into injury time Paul Paton forced a corner and although the initial danger was cleared Scott Chaplain saw a shot saved right on his line by Robertson.
That was to be Thistle's last chance and poor first half display proving to be a major factor in Thistle's exit from the Challenge Cup.
