Thistle win clean as a whistle

This report from the PTFC.net website...

It was a disappointing night for the Jags as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. Poor defending allowed Gerald Sibon to give Wednesday the lead after an hour of play and Leon Knight, on loan from Chelsea, wrapped up their victory with a clinical finish on the stroke of full time. Thistle created some good chances, but were unable to find the target on a night that saw their first match at Firhill since April.

A crowd of just fewer than 2,500 were on hand to see the team get into serious gear against a better class of opposition. For those of us who didn't attend the Ireland tour, it provided the first glimpse of this summer's new signings, and it allowed us to hear what the Firhill DJ had snapped up from the bargain bins of HMV over the close season for our half time entertainment!

John Lambie fielded a strong line up including Kenny Milne, Derek Whyte and Jamie Buchan. Former Clydebank defender Fabien Bossy started the game as a trialist in the right wingback position. Wednesday had former Norway internationalist Trond-Egil Soltvedt in their starting eleven, in addition to Finland's Shefki Kuqi and ex-Celtic Simon Donnelly.

Sheffield Wednesday could have got off to a great start, when they nearly opened the scoring with just 6 minutes gone. A penetrating through ball from Donnelly was controlled by Kuqi, who managed to sneak in behind the Jags defence but could only drive his shot into the side netting.

A few minutes later Thistle went forward when a long ball from Stephen Craigan was well controlled by Alex Burns on the right edge of the penalty area. "Toastie" did well to shrug off his marker and deliver a cross but the head of Craig Armstrong intercepted it.

Just after this Martin Hardie, under pressure from the Wednesday defence, went close when his glancing header met a long throw in from Craigan. With 25 minutes gone The Owls created another chance when a cross from Sibon was headered down by Kuqi for Donnelly to slide on to, but Kevin Budinaukas in the Thistle goal was alert enough to nullify any danger.

He was called into action again when Soltvedt won a corner and new Wednesday signing John Beswetherick's cross was parried and then quickly smothered by the big goalie. Moments later Budinaukas was again in the thick of it as he tried to claim a cross from Beswetherick on the left wing. The ball fell for Donnelly who tried to the overhead kick but Scott Paterson was available to block and clear any threat.

It was proving to be a busy period for the former Clyde stopper and he was forced into making an excellent stop from the low drive of Derek Geary, Wednesday's Player of the Season for last term. Just before the interval Thistle started to take a bit more control in the game, and had a shout for a penalty turned down by Referee George Clyde. Jamie Mitchell's corner appeared to hit Armstrong's hand, but the fans seemed to appeal more than the players.

Mitchell was again involved when he acrobatically volleyed a Craigan cross straight into the arms of goalkeeper Paul Evans. A final effort of the half came from Paterson, who won possession in the midfield, played a quick one, two with Burns and shot from distance. The popular defender probably should have taken the ball further forward and Evans comfortably scooped his effort up.

Half-time: Partick 0-0 Owls

At the start of the second half the Jags went on the offensive.

Burns and Martin Hardie linked well, finding Scot McLean out on the left flank and the striker managed to move the ball inside and crack a shot wide of goal. On 55 minutes Thistle undoubtedly had their best chance of the match so far. Burns ran at the Wednesday defence, played a neat one, two with Hardie and then, with the keeper to beat fired his attempt over the bar from inside the box. It was to prove doubly disappointing as The Owls broke the deadlock just 4 minutes later.

A kick out from Budinaukas was headed straight back towards his goal and as the ball bounced in front of Paterson, Kuqi managed to get in and hit the ball off the keeper and out to the prowling Sibon who coolly lobbed the ball into the net from around 25 yards. Paterson wasn't having one of his vintage performances and with 70 minutes gone he lost out again, this time to Alan Quinn in midfield.

Quinn charged forward and played a cutting ball through to Sibon who had a great chance to score again, but dragged the ball across the face of goal and past the far post. A minute later a Thistle corner fell to substitute Alan Archibald whose powerful drive was deflected wide for an additional corner.

Another good chance to score fell to the Jags from this, as an unmarked Barry Elliot (who had replaced Mitchell) somehow failed to get his header on target at the far post. The introduction of Andy Gibson for Bossy was a refreshing sight, and the young attacker was quick to pressure the Wednesday defence, giving them no time on the ball.

A slack pass from Armstrong allowed Elliot to take possession and, as he had no support, he hit a shot from distance wide of the goal. With just over 10 minutes of the game remaining the Jags were looking for an equaliser. Paterson controlled in midfield and passed for Burns, who again went close when his attempt whizzed just wide of the near post.

Immediately after this, the visitors nearly sealed the win when Beswetherick's searching cross was met by Geary, whose header looped over Budinaukas and rebounded off the woodwork. The Jags had one final attempt at goal when Archibald's pass into the box found Britton and Elliot, both of whom got in each others way, and Gerry's shot flew wide.

With the game drawing to a close, Sibon made way for the promising talent of young Leon Knight and it was a wonderful goal from England youth international that ensured victory for The Owls. A long ball over the Jags defence from Kuqi fell for Knight who showed regal qualities to control and hit a lancing shot past Budinaukas. The youngster has represented his country at every youth level and with finishing like this, will go on to bigger things.

The full time whistle must have given John Lambie food for thought as the SPL kick off comes ever closer. Mix-ups in defence may leave him wondering about his best starting side, while disappointment in the attacking department may have him stepping up the search for a goal scorer.

Even tougher opposition come to Firhill this Saturday in the shape of Premiership newcomers Birmingham City. It will be a final opportunity to test and try before the games start to be played for points.