Match Report
Friday the 13th certainly proved to be unlucky for Partick Thistle this evening. A goal four minutes from the end of tonight’s match with Hamilton condemning Thistle to a 1-0 with salt rubbed into the wounds with Alan Archibald sent off before the end.
There was an unfamiliar look to the Thistle side for the opening league game of 2012. Both Darren Cole, who slotted in at centre back alongside Alan Archibald, and Kal Naismith, who started on the right side of midfield, came into the side to make their debuts. Kieran Burns meantime, who lost the vast majority of last season to injury, made his first start for the Thistle first team.
On a cold night the 2,401 crowd, which included a travelling support of 750, saw both teams play neat football but pose little of a goal threat during a 90 minutes that look destined to finish goalless until substitute Spence’s late winner.
Hamilton perhaps saw more of the ball than Thistle during the course of the opening exchanges but with Paul Cairney continuing his excellent form, Thistle began to exert more pressure the longer the first half went on.
It was Cairney himself that had the first glimpse of the Hamilton goal. Kal Naismith, who looked eager throughout his 73 minutes on the pitch, and Paul Paton combined to set up Cairney who suddenly had a clear sight of the Hamilton goal. The Thistle midfielder though was very quickly closed down with the result that his shot was blocked for a corner kick.
Four minutes later Cairney sent Kieran Burns clear down the left but Burns’ cross was cleared.
Neither side though were causing either goalkeeper too much anxiety. Thistle, however, felt that they should have had a 26th minute penalty for an apparent tug on Kris Doolan near the Hamilton goal line while Hamilton too had claims for a penalty when they claimed the ball struck a Thistle hand in the box. On both occasions though referee Tumilty was uninterested in the claims.
Thistle’s penalty claim aside the closest thing in front of the Hamilton goal in the first half was a first time effort from Kieran Burns after a knock down from strike partner Kris Doolan that went just wide of goal.
After the goalless first half we nearly had an opening goal just five minute after the restart. Darren Cole, who had an otherwise impressive debut, was caught in possession giving Dougie Imrie a clear run on goal. Imrie’s finishing though let him down.
Ten minutes later Thistle could have nudged themselves in front. Cerny half saving an effort from Kris Doolan with Naismith unable to squeeze home the loose ball.
The game started to open up a little as it entered the final quarter. Scott Fox made a sharp save to deny Greig Spence while at the other end Kris Doolan sent a shot wide of goal.
It was becoming increasingly likely that one goal would win this game and it arrived with just four minutes. Two of Hamilton’s substitutes combined, Anderson crossing from the left for Spence to divert the ball beyond the reach of Scott Fox and into the corner of the net.
That was the end of the scoring but not the game’s talking points. With Thistle searching for an equaliser a Paul Paton shot was deflected for a corner. With most eyes on Stephen O’Donnell taking the corner few in the ground spotted an apparent collision between Alan Archibald and Dougie Imrie. The referee, however, did and deemed Archibald’s involvement to be violent conduct and worthy of a red card.
