Queen's Park Reserves 1, Partick Thistle Reserves 1
Monday 23rd November 2009
A penalty deep into injury time earned Thistle a draw in a Reserve League Cup tie with Queen's Park that they really should have won quite comfortably.
The half-time score stood tied at 0-0 but Thistle could, and probably should have been at least two or three goals ahead by the interval.
The first clear chance came Thistle's way in the 15th minute. A lovely through ball picked out Kris Doolan but although he managed to take the ball round the keeper he hesitated just a fraction too long and his effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line.
A minute later Jim Hamilton was unfortunate not to open the scoring but his chip from 25 yards was touched over the bar by the keeper who looked set to be beaten.
He really should have been beaten in the 22nd minute. Kris Doolan fired over a great cross from the right hand side but Jamie Campbell stretching to reach the ball couldn't direct his effort on target and an excellent opportunity was missed.
Which was nothing compared to the chance that Thistle missed on 28 minutes. Kris Doolan was put clear but with just the keeper to beat he knocked his shot wide of target.
Still the chances continued to come Thistle's way and just past the half hour mark Jamie Campbell, after being set up by Jim Hamilton, was a little unlucky to see his shot deflected for a unproductive Thistle corner.
The second half was a much more even affair. On the hour mark Jim Hamilton and Bryan Hodge were substituted giving the Thistle side an even more youthful look to it and perhaps because of that the home side came more into the game.
With 19 minutes remaining they took the lead. A neat through ball gave Ross Dunlop a chance and he made no mistake with a cool finish.
That goal had the look of a winner about it but Thistle were to net a late equaliser. A turn from sub Shaun Fraser was too good for the Queen's defender who was forced to bring him down. When the 16 year old had dusted himself down he took the kick himself and calmly sent the ball into the corner of the net (pictured below).
This was a game that Thistle really should have won. The most impressive performances came in midfield with youngsters Jamie Campbell and Ryan MacBeth, who has already been included in the first team squad this season, producing performances that make then well worth looking out for in the future.
Team: Hinchcliffe, McGeough, Boyle, Corrigan, Kinniburgh, Hodge (Fraser), Campbell, MacBeth, Doolan, Hamilton (Tully), Trialist (Bannigan) subs unused Scully, Lochhead.
