Match Report
Manager Ian McCall made a number of changes for this ALBA Challenge Cup tie with Forfar Athletic. There were starting berths for Patrick Boyle, Alan Archibald, Kris Doolan and Jim Hamilton as Thistle aimed to bounce back from the disappointment of the 0-0 draw with Ross County at the weekend with a victory against the Third Division who promised a stern test.
Thistle were quick to settle into a nice rhythm and on an excellent Station Park surface the opening minutes of the game were marked by some crisp Thistle passing.
As early as the opening minute David Rowson tried his luck from the edge of the box but could only drag his shot wide of goal and two minutes later Brown in the Forfar goal had to be sharp out his box to head clear as Paul Cairney attempted to latch on to a pass from defence from John Robertson.
In the 8th minute Thistle took the lead. Paul Cairney did well to create space for himself inside the Forfar box and his cut back was knocked over the line by Kris Doolan for his first goal of the season.
Whether Thistle thought an earl goal meant an easy passage into the next round or not the period after Doolan's goal was Forfar's best spell in the game though they were restricted to just one opportunity. It was, however, an excellent chance that came Tod's way in the 18th minute but after managing to get a free header inside the Thistle box he was unable to hit target.
A second Thistle goal would have given Thistle some breathing space and in the 26th minute they were close to scoring that goal. Paul Cairney released Marc Corcoran. Corcoran at first looked set to shot for goal himself but instead crossed for Jim Hamilton who saw his shot from 12 yards pushed over the bar by Brown in the Forfar goal.
Around the half hour mark both sides came close to a goal. A fierce Ian Campbell drive from 20 yards out took a deflection with Tuffey happy to save at the second attempt. Play quickly moved to the other end and Jim Hamilton was denied a goal only by a good save from the home keeper.
With half-time just four minutes away Forfar really should have been level and were highly unfortunate not to score. Kevin Fotheringham's effort from 20 yards out looked set to loop over Tuffey and into the net but instead struck the bar and bounced along the line before Thistle, eventually, hacked the ball clear.
Five minutes into the second half Thistle had a much needed second goal. Paul Paton's cross had looked to be drifting out of the play but Mark Corcoran was able to keep the ball in and squared in back to Jim Hamilton who was left with a simple finish.
A minute later Hamilton had a second goal and Thistle a third and surely a place in the next round. Hamilton collected the ball inside the box, advances a few yards before rolling the ball into the net via the inside of the post.
In the 59th minute the deficit was back to two goals . Jonny Tuffey was unable to hold a fiercely driven shot from Ross Campbell and Chris Templeman was onto the loose ball in a flash and tucked the ball home.
Hopes of a come back from the home side were extinguished less than 60 seconds later. Thistle went on the attack straight from the restart and when David Rowson was presented with an excellent chance from 12 yards out the Thistle midfielder made no mistake with a crisp low finish.
With the game entering the last 15 minutes Thistle hit five for the second time this season. Two substitutes, Chris Erskine and Simon Donnelly. Combined with the former squaring for the latter who found the net with a low shot.
Thistle were close to a sixth goal with ten minutes remaining. Kris Doolan did well to set up Chris Erskine but Erskine rather dragged his shot wide.
It was all very easy at this point and Thistle had a sixth goal in the 85th minute. The ball was touched back into the path of Paul Cairney and his well hit shot brought him his first competiti ve goal in Thistle colours.
Cairney nearly had a second in Thistle's next attack but Brown was able to produce a fine save.
