Partick Thistle Football Club

On Sunday afternoon we will attempt to reach our first National Cup Final for 37 years when with Airdrie United standing between us a place in the Final of this season's Alba Challenge Cup. While the Scotland v Norway World Cup qualifier is taking up the bulk of media attention at the moment our tie with Airdrie United is one that Thistle manager Ian McCall is clearly relishing.

"I've been fortunate enough to play in a Challenge Cup Final and manage a team in a Final and I know that once you get to this stage of the tournament the interest really starts to grow. I know that if we can beat Airdrie United this afternoon and reach the final that the Thistle fans will think the Alba Challenge Cup a great tournament."

As always ‘The Gaffer' was able to supply www.ptfc.co.uk with the latest team news which on this occasion includes something of a surprise.

"We will take medical advice a little closer to the game but at the time of writing there is a chance that we may be able to include Liam Buchanan on the bench for this game. We had hoped to play Liam in a game during the week but the weather put a halt to that plan. He will need games before getting back to full match fitness but he is a naturally fit boy and to have him available for even 20-30 minutes would be great."

"Elsewhere Gary Harkins is suspended and will miss the game and Alan Archibald remains on the injured list. Ryan McStay, Stevie Lennon and Marc Twaddle are all carrying slight knocks but should be okay to play. Jonny Tuffey will miss out as he is away with the Northern Ireland squad for their two World Cup Qualifiers. Craig Hinchcliffe though is an excellent goalkeeper and I've ever confidence that he will, as he did in the last round at Livingston, come in and perform to a high standard. On the bench we may include Scott Murray who sat on the bench at Livingston or Charles Samushonga who has returned to the under 19 squad and has been doing well."

Thistle will not be alone in missing players on Sunday. Former Jag Marc Smyth and Kevin MacDonald will miss out for Airdrie United after collecting a second yellow card in the competition against Cowdenbeath in their quarter-final tie.

Route to the Last Four
Partick Thistle
First Round Partick Thistle 2, Queen's Park 1
Second Round Partick Thistle 4, Peterhead 2
Quarter-Final Livingston 0, Partick Thistle 2
Airdrie United
First Round Airdrie United 3, Dumbarton 2
Second Round East Fife 0, Airdrie United 2
Quarter-Final Cowdenbeath 1, Airdrie United 2

Fans are reminded that Sunday's tie, which will be played to a finish with extra-time and penalties if required, kicks-off at 2pm.

The Aitken Suite will be open from 12:30pm, where a selection of hot food and snacks will be available, and again after the game.

Please note that their will be no Children's area at Sunday's game nor will be the Players Zone be available after the game. Both will return for our next home game against Queen of the South on November 1st.

Thistle Stats

Current Form - Last Five Games

W D L F A
1 2 2 7 7

Scorers Season 2007/2008
Stephen McKeown 5
Damon Gray 4
Gary Harkins 4
Ian Maxwell 4
Scott Chaplain 2
Simon Donnelly 1
Paul Paton 1
Mark Roberts 1
John Robertson 1
Chris Turner 1
Marc Twaddle 1

Last Fixture
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Partick Thistle 0, Dundee 0

Airdrie United Stats

Current form - Last Five Games
W D L F A
1 0 4 3 10

Scorers Season 2007/2008
Paul Di Giacomo 6
Simon Lynch 3
Scott McLaughlin 3
David Nixon 2
Stuart Noble 2
Joe Cardle 1
Darren Smith 1

Last Fixture
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
St Johnstone 3, Partick Thistle 1

Last Me eting
Irn-Bru Scottish League First Division
Saturday August 9th 2008
Airdrie United 0, Partick Thistle 1
Teams
Airdrie United: Robertson, Smyth, Hazley, MacDonald (McLaughlin), Donnely, Nixon, McDougall (Noble), McKenna, Di Giacomo, Lynch, Cradle (Maguire)
Thistle: Tuffey, Paton, Twaddle, Storey, Robertson, Maxwell, Chaplain (McKeown), Rowson, Gray, Donnelly (McKinlay), Harkins
Scorer
Thistle: Gray (73)
Crowd: 2,165

Match Details
Partick Thistle v Airdrie United
Alba Challenge Cup Semi-Final
Sunday October 12th 2008
Kick-off: 2pm

Prices
Adults £12
Concessions £5
Programme £2.50

Match Officials
Referee: David Somers
Assistant Referees: Willie Dishington & Andy McWilliam
Fourth Official: Steven Nicholls