Match Report
On an afternoon where the winter chill really started to bite Thistle made just the one change from the side that had defeated Clyde. John Robertson a pre-match doubt as expected wasn’t fit to take up his usual position in the Thistle side with Simon Storey drafted in his place. There was, however, a late change on the bench. Damon Gray picked up an injury during the warm up with Steven Lennon taking Gray’s place on the bench.
Thistle resplendent in pink made a bright opening and a Paul Paton cross caused anxiety in the Livi defence as early as the game’s opening minute. Kevin McKinlay too was able to threaten from a similar position on the left hand side with Martini happy to grab the ball from just above the head of a lurking Liam Buchanan.
Thistle were rewarded for their early enterprising play by an opening goal in the 10th minute. Liam Buchanan initially did well to win a corner holding off the attentions of Chris Innes. Liam was the man to profit from the corner that followed. Simon Donnelly swung the ball over to the back post where Buchanan was unmarked and a striker of his quality was never going to pass up an opportunity like that.
Buchanan came close again five minutes after opening the scoring but on this occasion Martini was able to tip his effort from a tight angle over the bar.
Buchanan was the provider of a chance in the 17th minute but Simon Donnelly wasn’t quite able to direct his header from Buchanan’s cross on target.
As Thistle continued to press Liam Buchanan was just unable to make contact with a Gary Harkins knock down.
In the 26th minute Livingston were handed the perfect opportunity to net an undeserved equaliser. Ian Maxwell was adjudged to have fouled Calum Elliot. Dave MacKay was the man entrusted to take the kick but unlike his kick in the penalty shoot out in last season’s Scottish Cup he made an efficient job of the kick. Seconds later Calum Elliot the man adjudged to have been fouled for the penalty found himself in the book for diving.
Maxwell was very nearly able to atone for his rash challenge that led to the penalty. A mishit Paul Paton cross very nearly arriving right at the feet of Maxwell at the edge of the Livi six yard box.
The loss of the equaliser knocked Thistle off their stride a little with Paul Paton perhaps a little ambitious to try his luck from 25 yards in the 37th minute. Although his shot was on target Martini wasn’t stretched in having to make a save.
Thistle were able to restore their lead in the 43rd minute. Gary Harkins and Simon Donnelly combined to set up Stephen McKeown and his powerful shot found the roof of the net as Thistle netted arguably their best goal of the season thus far.
The half ended with Thistle’s leading scorer trying his luck once more but on this occasion McKeown’s shot was just a little too straight to really trouble Martini.
Thistle were not as dominant in the early stages of the second half as they had been for the most part of the first45 minutes and in the 64th minute Calum Elliot was nearly to get a glimpse of goal at the edge of the box only for Willie Kinniburgh to snuff out the danger.
Twenty minutes into the second half and Thistle made their first change of the game. Scorer of the second goal Stephen McKeown who had taken a knock at the start of the half being replaced by Scott Chaplain.
Chaplain’s first involvement in the game nearly saw him extend Thistle’s lead to 3-1 but his stabbed shot a Donnelly assist went wide of goal.
Gary Harkins was even closer when his run from midfield ended with his shot from the edge of the box only just clearing the Livingston crossbar.
Victim of a perhaps harsh penalty award in the first half there were loud Thistle shouts, from the fans at any rate, when Liam Buchanan’s route to goal was blocked by a hard pressed James McPake.
Calu
m Elliot, still being booed every time he touched the ball, shot from 35 yards very nearly had Jonny Tuffey scrambling to save and although the Thistle keeper was able to hold onto the ball, albeit at the second attempt, it was a small reminder that a one goal advantage is always a small one.
In the 78th minute Liam Buchanan received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steven Lennon.
A third goal would probably have sealed the points for Thistle and with 6 minutes remaining Simon Storey found himself in a good position on the Thistle right hand side but his final cross was too strong for Steven Lennon and the chance was lost.
Thistle made their final change of the afternoon with 2 minutes remaining when Simon Donnelly was replaced by Mark Roberts.
