Match Report
After a near thing in last season's near thing in the Scottish Cup hopes were high that Thistle could one better in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup. Ian McCall's team selection made for interesting reading. Although the team showed just two changes, Simon Donnelly and Kevin McKinlay coming in for Willie Kinniburgh and Damon Gray, the formation was entirely different. Showing that Thistle were going to go all out to take the game to Rangers Mark Roberts was supported by Simon Donnelly and Kevin McKinlay as McCall implemented an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Rangers, as expected, fielded a full strength side which didn't make the task that Thistle faced any easier.
Thistle had the game's first chance. Gary Harkins, outstanding in the Scottish Cup last season, skipped by the attention of a number of Rangers defenders but his cut back just fell behind his intended targets inside the box. When the ball was cleared only as far as David Rowson his rasping drive wasn't too far off target.
In a frantic opening Rangers were next to show and Steven Davis sent a low shot wide of Jonny Tuffey's right hand post before Novo sent a shot straight into Tuffey's midriff.
Another Harkins cross in the 7th minute posed the Rangers defence problems as an early goal didn't look far away. It was Rangers that had the best chance yet of scoring it. Kris Boyd ignored strong appeals for offside to race clear of the Thistle defence but his finish was weak allowing Tuffey to save and avoid controversy.
Thistle did have the ball in the net in the 16th minute but the flag for offside had long been up before Mark Roberts' side footed Marc Twaddle's cross into the net.
In the 24th minute Rangers took the lead with a truly stunning goal from Kris Boyd. Boyd never let a long cross field pass from the Rangers right drop and his volley flew past Tuffey for as good a goal as Firhill has seen for many a year.
Thistle were nearly back on level terms two minutes later. Stephen McKeown turned at the edge of the box and his shot was tipped over the bar by Neil Alexander.
In the 33rd minute the scores were once again tied. Simon Donnelly slipped the ball through to Stephen McKeown and McKeown drilled the ball past Alexander into the far corner of the net.
Rangers should have been back in front in the 40th minute. Darchevillie pace on the counter attack took himself clear of the Thistle defence. His cross laid the ball on a plate for Novo who promptly sent his shot high in the Maryhill night sky and over the bar.
Novo was altogether more accurate on the stroke of half time but Tuffey was more than equal to his low drive as the teams headed into the dressing room level at half-time.
A Mark Roberts dink across the Rangers six yard box in the 52nd minute just begged for a Thistle foot to apply a finish as Thistle sensed a shock in the making.
Hoped were raised again when a cross field pass from Simon Donnelly picked out Mark Roberts but Roberts was unable to evade the attentions of his marker at the corner of the Rangers box.
In the 62nd minute a period of sustained Rangers pressure ended with Pedro Mendes sending a shot over the bar.
With 70 minutes played Thistle made their first change of the evening with Chris Turner coming in place of Mark Roberts with Simon Donnelly now assuming the focal point of Thistle's forward line.
Turner was just inches away from giving Thistle the lead just two minutes after coming on. Marc Twaddle sent over a magnificent cross from the Thistle left with Turner's full length dive just failing to make contact with the ball at the edge of the six yard box.
A Turner error put Thistle undue pressure and it took an excellent tackle from Ian Maxwell as Novo entered the Thistle box with real intent to snuff out the danger at the expense of a corner that the Jags defence dealt confidently with.
With five minutes remaining Chris Turner won th
e ball some 30 yards goal before pushing the ball wide to Simon Storey. When Kevin McKinlay went to ground at the back post while to get on the end of Storey's excellent cross shouts for a penalty from the Jackie Husband were loud and prolonged.
In Thistle's next attack they came as close as they had ever done to taking the lead. Neil Alexander saved at the feet of David Rowson with Chris Turner just unable to direct the rebound into the Rangers net.
Extra-time was just seconds away when Nacho Novo had a magnificent chance to score what surely would have been the winner but as he had done so in the first half when presented with a gilt edged chance he sent the ball high over the bar.
Deep in injury time Kris Boyd came close to winning the tie for Rangers but Thistle managed to scramble the ball clear sending the game into extra-time.
Thistle started extra-time with Scott Chaplain on for Stephen McKeown.
The first period of extra-time started how the 90 minutes had finished with Rangers on the attack but Kris Boyd was unable to hit target.
Five minutes into extra-time and Simon Storey picked up the game's first booking following a fouled on Beasley.
In the 98th minute Thistle made their final change when Damon Gray replaced the outstanding Simon Donnelly.
Thistle were struggling to get the ball at this point and Novo came close with an angled drive that crept wide of Tuffey's right hand post.
The first period of extra-time brought plenty of Rangers pressure against a Thistle side starting to do no more than hold on but no Rangers goal.
After some neat passing play from Thistle Chris Turner was able to manage to squeeze out a shot from the edge of the box three minutes into the second period of extra-time but Alexander had an easy save to make.
A minute later when an Ian Maxwell throw was flicked on Kevin McKinlay's effort was only just wide of target as Thistle seemed to find new life in the second period of extra-time.
Rangers pace always made them a threat on the break and after out pacing the Thistle defence a Beasley pass set up Kris Boyd but Boyd's effort was too high and Thistle breathed again.
Penalties were just four minutes away when Rangers edged in front. An error in Thistle defence was seized upon by Beasley who passed to Mendes who with the outside of his foot found the far corner of the Thistle net.
Mendes' goal proved to be the winning goal but Thistle can take immense pride from this showing with the reception from the Thistle fans at the finish showing just how proud they were of their team's efforts.
