Jags end last-eight drought
AN early strike from midfielder Adam Barton allied to a disciplined tactical performance saw Partick Thistle advance to the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
The Jags have enjoyed mixed fortunes this season in the Ladbrokes Premiership, but trips to Perth have proved fruitful over the last year, so there was no need for manager Alan Archibald to fear the journey east to face the 2014 winners.
Having made an early breakthrough, Thistle held firm and might have extended their lead but for home keeper Zander Clark, who enhanced a growing reputation with two quality saves.
Archibald welcomed the prospect of the Firhill club’s first quarter-final for nine years, when they lost in a replay to Rangers, saying: ‘I’m delighted for the players and the fans. They came in good numbers and, thankfully, kept believing because it’s been a long time since we have been in a quarter-final.
‘We had a different shape and it was important we got an early lead to give the players belief.
‘Our goal record has been poor over the last four or five games, so it was overdue. I am just glad to be in the quarter-final and we will take whoever we get and go and enjoy it.’
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright, who has been listed amongst bookies’ candidates for the vacant Rangers managerial post, cut a despondent figure after the game.
He admitted: ‘It was a frustrating afternoon for us.
‘It was a good counter-attack for their goal but we gave the ball away cheaply.
‘We found them difficult to break down and, ultimately, we didn’t do enough to make it happen. You have to turn possession into shots.’
Thistle seized a seventh-minute advantage with their first menacing foray bearing fruit.
A pass from Steven MacLean was intercepted by Sean Welsh and quickly moved on to Steven Lawless.
The wide man advanced and spotted Barton’s supporting run. The cross was duly rolled into the midfielder’s path and without breaking stride, Barton swept a low 12-yard finish past Saints’ keeper Clark.
There was very nearly further cause for concern among the home support within minutes when full-back Richard Foster’s slip was seized upon by the ever-alert Lawless.
This time he picked out Ade Azeez and a deflection off central defender Joe Shaughnessy had Clark scrambling before the striker’s shot veered wide.
Danny Swanson came within inches of a 20th-minute equaliser when he took on a shot from outside the penalty area only for his effort to slide inches past the upright to the obvious relief of Thistle stopper Tomas Cerny.
The Perth side struggled to find space to operate in as the well-drilled Jags made sure they got eight or even nine men behind the ball whenever Saints were in possession.
But only a magnificent save from Clark prevented one-time sprinter David Amoo from doubling the lead.
The Thistle attacker seemed certain to score after weaving his way into the penalty box but the highly-rated home keeper instinctively stuck out a left hand and to divert the net-bound shot past for a corner.
Blair Alston was pitched into the fray for the second half and the former Falkirk player’s impact was almost immediate with a curling shot forcing Cerny into action within two minutes of his arrival.
MacLean, who had found the net in all three previous clashes with Thistle this term, sent a dipping shot wide.
Tucked in between those Saints forays, Welsh advanced from his fullback berth to unleash a drive from fully 30 yards which again threatened to take the tie beyond Saints’ grasp before flashing wide.
The hosts again had cause to thank keeper Clark on the hour mark for beating out Liam Lindsay’s powerful connection with a Welsh free-kick and despite being grounded, Perth skipper Steven Anderson managed to block Amoo’s follow-up in the six-yard box.
Foster fired in a teasing 70th-minute cross from the right but Cerny’s grip held firm as a posse of Perth players hovered waiting to pounce.
Saints thought they had finally penetrated a resolute Thistle defence in the 78th minute when Foster teed-up Alston but his 16-yard shot swerved agonisingly wide.
However, Thistle held on for a fourth successive win at McDiarmid Park.