Match Report
The Thistle fans have had some difficult times to contend with in recent months but this afternoon at Victoria Park they went some small way to make amends for that with a 2-1 win in what proved to be a thoroughly entertaining fixture that was anything but an dull end of season affair.
The tone for the 90 minutes that was set as early as the first twenty seconds. Kris Doolan glancing a header from a Mark Corcoran cross towards goal.
Thistle continued to make a bright start and if truth be told the first quarter of the game belonged to a Thistle side playing the type of football that belied a side lacking in confidence. In the fifth minute a Mark Corcoran shot from the edge of the box took a deflection that took the pace off the ball which allowed McGovern to make a save.
Twice around the twenty minute mark Thistle were close to taking what would have been a deserved lead. A Simon Donnelly shot from the edge of the box went just inches wide with McGovern looking beaten and an improvised effort from David Rowson was just a little too straight to produce a goal.
In contrast to Thistle's bright start the home side were making little impressive though ironically it was to County that the best chance of the first half fell to. A Richard Brittain corner was headed on by Barrowman who saw his header saved by Halliwell who also produced an equally impressive save from Scott Boyd as the ball broke loose. That would not be the only time that Thistle would have cause to be thankful for Bryn Halliwell's intervention.
Although the last twenty minutes of the first half were more even that opening twenty five it was still Thistle that did the bulk of the pressing and in the 26th minute we were again close to a Thistle goal. Simon Donnelly was able to get on the end of a Martyn Corrigan cross but he didn't get enough purchase on his flick towards goal and County were able to clear the danger.
County though were close to opening the scoring themselves with the half-time whistle just 4 minutes away. A free kick was only cleared as far as a lurking Michael Gardyne and it took a fine stop from Halliwell to keep the half-time score at 0-0.
After a goalless first 45 minutes Thistle were nearly in front just five minutes after the restart. David Rowson doesn't score many goals but when he does they tend to be spectacular ones and he nearly added to his collection with a shot that rattled the base of the County post.
Ryan MacBeth had been introduced to the fray at half-time in place of Mark Corcoran and the young Thistle sub was close to a goal in the 53rd minute. A threaded pass from David Rowson gave the midfielder a glimpse of goal but his final shot was a hurried one and went over the bar.
An open entertaining game was only lacking a goal and one finally arrived in the 58th minute. Paul Di Giacomo gathered the ball at the edge of the Thistle box before sending a low shot into the corner of the net.
Thistle's response to the loss of that goal was fairly rapid. Just two minutes after falling behind Chris Erskine was fouled 20 yards from goal and from the free kick that followed Simon Donnelly's deflected effort brought Thistle level and Simon his 10th goal of the season.
County were nearly back in front just a couple of minutes later with Halliwell denying Gardyne before Richard Brittain's thundering drive hit the top of the Thistle crossbar.
Halliwell was a busy man at this point with fine saves from Di Giacomo and Miller but it was Thistle that took a 74th minute lead and it was a goal fit to win any match. Martin Grehan flicked the ball on for fellow sub Kieran Burns who galloped down the left flank. Burns' cross was touched into the path of Martin Grehan who didn't break stride before firing into the back of the net.
Three minutes later the scores were close to being tied once more. Bryn Halliwell enjoying a fantastic afternoon somehow managing to keep out a Di Giacomo effort that looked certain to end up in the back of the net.
County were certainly pushing men forward in numbers in search of an equalising goal but Thistle remained a real threat on the break and perhaps should have made the points safe in the 8oth minute. Kieran Burns hitting a shot off the body of McGovern and MacBeth sending the rebound wide of goal.
Thistle were nearly made to pay for that missed opportunity but a magnificent block from John Robertson denied County a clear goal scoring opportunity, Halliwell for once not pressed into action.
With the game in injury time both teams had chances to add to the afternoon's goal tally. Kieran Burns was put clear by Simon Donnelly but was not once but twice denied his first Thistle goal by McGovern.
At the other end Bryn Halliwell once more broke County hearts with an excellent stop from Wood with the full-time whistle sounding a short time later.
