Match Preview
After 5 away pre-season friendlies it’s a welcome return to Firhill tomorrow afternoon for our first home friendly with the start of the competitive season now just over a week away.
Our guests tomorrow are English League One side Carlisle United. John Ward’s side are currently enjoying a pre-season training camp in Scotland and their fixture tomorrow at Firhill is their only game north of the border. With Carlisle’s season not starting until August 9th, they face Bristol Rovers in their opening League One fixture, they are little behind Thistle in terms of preparation and to date have played just one pre-season fixture, defeating non-league Kendal 4-0.
Last season Carlisle came close to reaching a place in The Championship. After finishing the season in a play-off position they defeated Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road in the semi-final first leg but lost the return 2-0. Now under the control of a consortium of Cumbrian businessmen there is real ambition for Carlisle to go one better this season and go on and consolidate a position in the second tier of English football.
Naturally though our own concerns are focused squarely on Partick Thistle and earlier today Ian McCall was able to bring www.ptfc.co.uk up to date with the team news ahead of tomorrow’s game.
“In addition to the injured Alan Archibald and Liam Buchanan who will obviously miss out Kevin McKinlay and Ryan McStay has slight knocks and are rated as doubtful for tomorrow. With that in mind Ricky Little, Pedram Ardalany and Graeme Eaglesham are added to the squad. We also have a trialist striker coming up tomorrow and he will probably play half a game tomorrow and half a game against Burnley on Monday night.”
Thistle fans, and of course Carlisle supporters as well, are reminded that the Aitken Lounge Supporters Bar will be open as normal ahead of tomorrow’s game. The bar will be open from 12noon until 2:30pm, as well as after the game, and in addition to the traditional selection of drinks hot food, including breakfast items and lunch, will be available.
As has been the norm for pre-season fixtures in recent seasons a reduced in sized 16 page programme, priced £1.50, will be on sale tomorrow.
