Thistle XI Defeated in Close Door Friendly
Tuesday 3rd August 2010
A little earlier this afternoon a Thistle XI faced a Motherwell Xi in a bounce match at Dalziel Park.
It was a useful exercise for both teams but it was Motherwell that had by far and way the better of it running out 3-0 winners following a largely disappointing display from Thistle.
There had been little between the sides in the first half only for Motherwell to score twice in rapid succession just before the interval. The first goal a shot deflected past Craig Hinchcliffe, who produced a solid and assured performance in goal, by one his own defenders, the second a header after a nice Motherwell move. The space the Motherwell striker was affored, however, by the Jags defence was a bone of contention for the Thistle goalkeeper.
Thistle made a couple of changes after the break but that brought no improvement in fortune. Indeed Motherwell added a third early in the second 45 minutes and for a while threatened to add to their score.
Thistle battled away and probably merited a goal of their own but despite a couple of near things couldn’t find one. The trialist midfielder should have scored but the Motherwell keeper was able to push away his effort, Keiran Burns came close to beating the ‘Well keeper at his near post and Jamie Campbell too forced the Motherwell keeper into some action.
In general though there was little for watching manager Ian McCall to enthuse over. Best for Thistle was probably Jamie Campbell while Kieran Burns battled away but with no success after replacing Martin Grehan at half-time.
Team: Hinchcliffe, Trialist (Bannigan), Stevenson, MacBeth (Burbridge), McGeough, Maxwell, Campbell, Trialist, Grehan (Burns), Doolan, Erskine (Lochhead).
