Match Report
Thistle were hit with a number of late call-offs for this fixture against a Raith Rovers side that we were yet to beat this season. Martyn Corrigan, Stephen McKeown and Craig Hinchcliffe were already out but they were joined on the sidelines by Jamie Adams, Steve Lovell and Ian Maxwell. On a more positive note their were debuts for Ryan Conroy, on loan from Celtic, and Greg Shields.
Although the Stark's Park was clearly playable it was obviously going to prove to be heavy going and indeed the opening 10 minutes or so produced little in the way of fluent football.
Tade had headed a half chance wide for Rovers as early as the second minute but it took until the 14th minute for Thistle to fashion their first opportunity. A near post corner from Ryan Conroy was met by Alan Archibald who saw his shot deflected wide for another corner from the other side this time.
Thistle were having their best spell around about this time and in the 23rd minute Simon Donnelly chipped in a free kick but Mark Corcoran wasn't able to direct his header on target.
It was Rovers though that had the better of things in the latter portion of the first 45 minutes and in the 27th minute they were desperately unlucky not to open the scoring. Johnny Russell, a threwat to Thistle at Firhill back in October, was able to cut inside before smacking a shot off Jonny Tuffey's crossbar. Although Tade was able to nod the rebound home the flag for offside had already been raised and Thistle could breathe again.
Mark Ferry was able to test Jonny Tuffey with a low shot after hesitation from Paul Paton but Russell's shot was the closest they would come to a goal in the first. A series of corners in quick succession though meant that Thistle were always under at least a little pressure.
In the32nd minute Thistle though did come close to opening the scoring. Paul Cairney took advantage of a misdirected Grant Murray clearance and set up Simon Donnelly who was frustrated to see McGurn produce an excellent save to deny him a goal. #
Greg Shields marked his Thistle debut with a yellow card in the 41st minute and hearts were in mouths two minutes later when he caught Tade a little late. On this occasion, however, referee Norris choose to keep his cards in his pocket.
Thistle were the first side to come close after the restart. A great delivery from wide on the right from Paul Paton created the chance but David Rowson's glancing header crept just the wrong side of the junction of post and crossbar.
Play was moving swiftly from end to end but neither side despite working themselves into promising positions were able to deliver the telling ball. Rovers though were close to a goal in the 62nd minute. Full back Craig Wilson pushed forward and his well struck shot from fully 25 yards required a good reflex save from Jonny Tuffey to keep the ball out.
In the 76th minute Raith Rovers scored the all important first goal. Alan Archibald was penalised for a foul for which he received a yellow card for. Worse was to follow. Ellis' free kick was met by the head of Kevin Smith who glanced the ball home.
Four minutes later the game was nearly put beyond the reach of Thistle. Kevin Smith was left with just Tuffey to beat but although his shot was well struck Tuffey was able to make a fine save.
There was another fine save from Tuffey in injury time this time tipping a Ferry shot over the bar but it didn't deny the home side their win.
