Match Preview
The season may be already two cup-ties old but with the league season starting tomorrow there is the sense at least that it all starts in earnest tomorrow at 3pm.
With the season 36 games long and with 108 points from those 36 games up for grabs a failure to win the opening league game of the season is no disaster but the psychological boost to be gained from starting the league season with a win can’t be underestimated. Hitting the ground running with a three point opening day haul is exactly what Thistle are looking for although you do need to go back to 2006 when a late Jimmy Gibson goal helped us to a 2-1 win for our last victory at Stark’s Park.
Only long term absentees Jackie McNamara, who joined in with full training for a short period earlier in the week, and Alan Archibald are set to sit this one out with Ian McCall having an otherwise full squad to select from.
Said manager Ian McCall;
“On paper we had what might have been considered to be two relatively easy games but in reality, for different reasons, were anything but. The fixture with Clyde is one that they still consider to be a derby match, though I’m not sure that our supporters feel the same way, and they were really up for the game while the Annan game was one of the biggest in their history. I was delighted to get through those two ties and delighted at the test they provided us with.”
“In many respects though the real stuff starts tomorrow. Everyone with the exception of Alan Archibald and Jackie McNamara are fit and available and we are approaching this in a real positive frame of mind. We are really keen to start the league season with victory.”
“We are very close, I would say about 90% of the way there, to concluding a deal that will allow us to bring 19 year old centre back Conrad Balatoni on loan from Hearts for six months. There are still a few bits and pieces to be finalised but if everything is completed in time that Conrad will be in the squad for tomorrow’s game.”
Rovers meantime will be missing Iain Davidson who is suspended for this fixture.
Thistle Stats
Current Form – Season 2010/2011
W D L F A
2 0 0 3 1
Scorers Season 2010/2011
Liam Buchanan 1
Simon Donnelly 1
Ryan MacBeth 1
Last Game
Co-Operative Insurance Cup First Round
Saturday July 31st 2010
Annan Athletic 0, Partick Thistle 1
Raith Rovers Stats
Current Form – Season 2010/2011
W D L F A
1 0 1 4 2
Scorers Season 2010/2011
Gregory Tade 2
John Baird 1
Jamie Mole 1
Last Game
Co-Operative Insurance Cup First Round
Saturday July 31st 2010
Raith Rovers 4, East Fife 1
Last Meeting
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Monday April 19th 2010
Partick Thistle 0, Raith Rovers 0
Teams
Thistle: Halliwell, Paton, Boyle, Corrigan, Robertson, McGeough, Cairney (MacBeth), Rowson, Corcoran (Burns), Donnelly (Doolan), Conroy.
Rovers: McGurn, Davidson (Hill), Murray, Walker, Williamson, Smith, Tade, Ferry, Weir (Shields), Russell , (Sloan), Armstrong.
Crowd: 1,151
Match Details
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday August 7th 2010
Raith Rovers v Partick Thistle
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Prices
Adult £16
Junior £8
Senior Citizen £8
Pre School Concession FREE
Parent & Child £19
College/Uni Concession (proof of status req) £12
Jobseeker Concession (proof of status req) £8
Disability & Carer Concession (Disabled person = Half price, Carer = FREE) £8
Match Officials
Referee: Euan Norris
Assistant Referees: Tommy Johnston and Jeff Banks
Travel
By Car
Car parking is available in the Esplanade, which is on the south side of the ground and in Beveridge Park, which is on the north side of the ground.
By Bus
The main bus station in Kirkcaldy is also within l5 minutes walking distance of the ground, but the Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Leven services pass close by the park.
By Train
Kirkcaldy Railway Station is served by trains from Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow (via Edinburgh) and the ground is within 10-15 minutes walking distance of the station.
TRAVEL WARNING
Please note the following road works in the Kirkcaldy area which may cause delays:
Hayfield Road/Dunniker Road
Dysart Road
Other First Division Fixtures
Cowdenbeath v Ross County
Dundee v Queen of the South
Falkirk v Dunfermline Athletic
Morton v Stirling Albion
