Archibald backs keeper despite a costly late error
PARTICK THISTLE manager Alan Archibald leapt to the defence of Tomas Cerny after the goalkeeper’s late howler squandered victory and gave Kilmarnock a share of the points in Ayrshire.
Thistle were rampant in the second half and Chris Erskine’s 73rd-minute strike looked to have clinched what would have been a deserved triumph over a lacklustre home side.
But an uncharacteristic blunder from Cerny sold the jerseys in the 87th minute, the 31-year-old Czech keeper allowing a Conor Sammon shot from 25 yards to squirm from his grasp and nestle into the bottom corner.
Thistle still sit comfortably inside the top six, but yesterday’s slip-up followed hot on the heels of conceding a 90th-minute equaliser against Inverness last week.
The concession of late goals plagued the Firhill side earlier in the season and appears to have now returned.
But Archibald said: ‘This was different. This wasn’t a case of not seeing a game out — it was just an individual error that you can’t legislate for.
‘Tomas has been outstanding for us and has saved us double points over the past couple of seasons. It’s one error, so hopefully that’s it done now.
‘I can’t remember him making one mistake over the past two years. He has been excellent, so it would be totally unfair to blame him for one error.
‘He is a very deep guy. I know he will think about it, but I spoke to him and told him not to worry about it. He’s the ultimate professional, so I’m sure he will bounce back.’
Prior to the match, Kilmarnock captain Kris Boyd had called for his team to improve their home record. Boyd acknowledged that, far too often this season, opposition teams have plundered Rugby Park for three points without really having to do all that much.
His team-mates certainly seemed to take heed of his advice. Well, for the first half-hour at least. They harassed their opponents, engaging Thistle high up the pitch. In the tenth minute, it required a brilliant last-ditch interception from Niall Keown to deny Boyd a clear shot at goal from 12 yards.
Killie’s enterprising start made their collapse in the second half all the more inexplicable.
Thistle’s centre-halves Keown and Liam Lindsay were pretty much flawless all afternoon.
Their only real lapse came in the 18th minute when they allowed Scott Boyd a free header from a ‘conga corner’ routine, Cerny producing a spectacular flying save to claw the ball away from the top corner.
But the Jags came on strong towards the end of the first period, with both Adam Barton and Erskine influential. Stevie Lawless almost put them ahead on the stroke of half-time, firing a dipping volley over the head of Kilmarnock goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and against the crossbar from 25 yards.
Nobody could deny the Thistle goal had been coming. On 70 minutes, Barton took the ball down beautifully on his chest and struck a vicious effort at goal. Silence fell over the stadium as it whistled towards the top corner, only to thud against the post.
Thistle were attacking towards the end of Rugby Park which housed their beefy travelling support. As the red-and-yellow jerseys poured forward, the fans got what they craved.
Christie Elliott crossed from wide on the left. Erskine headed the ball in the direction of Kris Doolan, who was chasing his 100th goal for the club. The loose ball came back to Erskine and he shot low into the bottom corner.
Killie interim boss Lee McCulloch admitted: ‘We were good in the opening stages, but Partick Thistle were excellent in the second half.’
Truth be told, McCulloch’s side were never in the game in the second half and could count their lucky stars to be only one goal behind. They needed a hero. Step forward Cerny… KILMARNOCK (4-4-2): Woodman; Hendrie, S Boyd, Ajer, Taylor; McKenzie, Dicker, Longstaff (Wilson 72), Jones (Umerah 78); Sammon, K Boyd. Subs (not used): MacDonald, Roberts, Smith, Osborne, Frizzell. Booked: Hendrie. PARTICK THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Cerny; Dumbuya, Keown, Lindsay, Elliott; Osman, Barton; Edwards, Erskine (Azeez 90), Lawless (Devine 88); Doolan. Subs (not used): Ridgers, Booth, Amoo, Nisbet, McCarthy. Booked: None. Referee: John Beaton. Attendance: 4,519.