Partick Thistle Football Club

The first visit of a Thistle side to Annan Athletic's Galabank home ended in a resounding 5-1 Reserve League Cup defeat.

At times, especially in the first half, Thistle played some good football from middle to front but a lack of experience at the back was clear to see with Craig Hinchcliffe having an evening he would probably rather forget.

It had all started so well for Thistle as well. Chris Erskine collected a pass from Ryan MacBeth in the 7^th and his shot from the edge of the box took a deflection past the Annan keeper to give Thistle an early but merited lead.

Thistle continued to do the bulk of the early pressing and in the 21^st minute a Kris Doolan shot stung the hands of the home keeper.

At the other end Craig Hinchcliffe was called into serious action for the first time in the 23^rd minute when he produced an excellent save low down at his left hand post.

In the 29^th minute, however, Annan were level. The Annan number 11 was able to progress to the edge of the Thistle box without a Thistle challenge and he promptly curled a shot low into the corner past a motionless Hinchcliffe.

Thistle could have been back in front just three minutes later. Good work on the left hand side from Mark Corcoran gave Kris Doolan a chance and although Corcoran's cross was just a little behind Doolan he was able to control the ball, turn and send a shot just inches past the post.

The next goal though was at the other end in the 34^th minute. Hinchcliffe came for but didn't claim a corner from the right and a header from six yards out found the Thistle net.

Twice Thistle were close to an equaliser before half-time. Chris Erskine from the right hand side of the box curled a shot just wide of the opposite post before he turned provider for Kris Doolan but Doolan wasn't able to make sufficient contact to Erskine's cross to touch the ball home.

Hopes of a Thistle comeback were dashed right at the start of the second half when a shot from 20 yards flew past Hinchcliffe and into the net. Without doubt the goal of the night.

Thistle tried hard to get back into the game. Ryan MacBeth saw a free kick parried by the home keeper and a Stuart Bannigan shot from 20 yards out wasn't too far off target.

Thistle had had what looked like a strong penalty appeal for a handball turned down in the first half and were denied what looked a clear penalty in the second period as well when Jim Hamilton looked to be hauled to the ground. To compound Hamilton's frustration his reaction earned him a yellow card from the referee.

With three minutes remaining any hopes of a Thistle comeback were ended when Annan notched a 4^th goal when Craig Hinchcliffe was beaten at his near post by a shot he really should have held.

Thistle were even denied a consolation goal when substitute Keiran Burns was denied a goal by a fine save from the Annan keeper.

Salt was rubbed into Thistle wounds in the final minute when after slicing open the Jags defence the home side scored a 5^th goal.

There is little doubt that the home side deserved their victory but the final margin of that victory wasn't really a reflection of the passage of the game.

Team: Hinchcliffe, Lochhead, McGeougfh, Little, McDermott, Bannigan (Sweeney), Erskine, MacBeth, Doolan (Burns), Hamilton (Trialist), Corcoran.