Match Preview
After a number of pre-season friendly matches we kick-off the competitive action tomorrow afternoon with a trip to face Airdrie United in the opening round of the ALBA Challenge Cup.
No Thistle fan will need reminding that we have a less than impressive record in the Challenge Cup. Last season's run to the semi-final being the only time to date that we have progressed as far as the last four. That run was halted by an Airdrie United side who would go on and defeat Ross County in the final. So in addition to wanting to start the season on a winning note it would be nice to gain a little revenge for that reverse.
As always there have been more than a few changes at Firhill over the summer months and no fewer than 6 players, Patrick Boyle, Paul Cairney, Martyn Corrigan, Chris Erskine, Jim Hamilton and Bryan Hodge, are in line to make their full Thistle debut tomorrow.
www.ptfc.co.uk caught up with Ian McCall a little earlier and he was able to provide a little insight into who exactly we will see line up in Thistle colours tomorrow.
"The only player that is unavailable to me is the injured Willie Kinniburgh. Chris Erskine and David Rowson have very minor knocks but nothing that should prevent them from featuring against Airdrie United on Saturday. I have, therefore, virtually a full squad to select from although we do remain a little light in terms of numbers. It does help in that respect that Simon Donnelly has returned to the Club."
"The matches played pre-season were all about getting fitness levels up and trying different systems but the emphasis changes from now on. The Airdrie United game is the first of a run of three games in a week and after trying different things in the games up to this point I would hope to field a settled team and system in those three games. The Challenge Cup isn't perhaps our number one priority but we want to start the season with a win and build some momentum".
In the last few days Thistle have been fairly heavily linked with a view of taking young Burnley striker Wes Fletcher on loan and the manager was able to bring us the latest news on that front.
"We are very hopeful of concluding something on that front early next week and I would like to include him in our friendly match at Kilmarnock on Wednesday night."
Just as there have been a number of changes in the Thistle squad there have been a number of changes at Airdrie United as well as the hope to bounce back to the First Division in double quick time. To date five new players have been added to Kenny Black's squad and there are some familiar faces among those five players.
Ex Jag Paul Keegan, who was at Dumbarton last season, played and scored against Norwich City while playing as a trialist and that was enough to earn him a deal for the season. Another former Thistle player, Ricky Waddell has been recruited for the season ahead. Other new recruits include former Clyde players Alan Trouten and Scott Gemmell and Australian Frankie Lagana.
For those unable to attend the game tomorrow you can follow progress via the Live Text Commentary service here on www.ptfc.co.uk a service we hope to bring you from every competitive first team fixture home and away.
Match Details
ALBA Challenge Cup First Round
Saturday July 25th 2009
Airdrie United v Partick Thistle
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Prices
Adults £12
Concessions £5
Last Meeting
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday 2ND May 2009
Partick Thistle 0, Airdrie United 1
Teams
Thistle: Tuffey, Storey, Twaddle, Maxwell, Robertson, Archibald, Chaplain (Paton), Rowson, Buchanan (Kinniburgh), Donnelly, Doolan (McKinlay).
Airdrie United: Robertson, McLachlan, Lovering, McDonald, Donnelly, Smyth, Smith (Nixon), McKenna, Di Giac omo (McDougall), Baird (Lynch), McLaughlin.
Scorer
Airdrie United: Lynch (89)
Crowd: 3,255
Travel Information
Supporter Buses
City Centre: Depart Station Bar, Cowcaddens 2pm. For seats call Duncan on 07979 496154.
Jordanhill: Depart 1:45pm Woodend Bowling Club. For seats call Iain 07779 668357. Prices £7 and £5.
Rail
Nearest train station to the Excelsior Stadium is Drumgelloch.
There is a half hourly service to Drumgelloch from Glasgow Queen Street with the best option s probably:
Outward Journey
Depart Queen Street: 13:57
Arrive Drumgelloch: 14:28
Return Journey
Depart Drumgelloch: 17:08
Arrive Queen Street: 17:37
An off peak adult single costs £4
Match Officials
Referee: Calum Murray
Assistant Referees: George Drummond and Alan Newlands
