Erskine settles into old routine

CHRIS Erskine channelled the frustrations of the previous 12 months as Partick Thistle continued their productive start to the new season.

Victory in this derby against League One side Queen’s Park sees the Maryhill side qualify as seeds for the last 16 of the Betfred Cup.

Thistle’s progress is due in no small part to Erskine, who scored his second goal in three starts at the beginning of his third stint at the club, then gained an assist with a corner for Liam Lindsay’s late clincher. It all marks a welcome reversal of fortunes for a player who was dogged by a pelvic problem at Dundee United then was trusted to start just three matches post-January after agreeing a pre-contract deal at Maryhill.

“I’m just happy to play again,” said Erskine. “And two goals from three games is a nice way to come back.

“I didn’t play anywhere near the amount of games I thought I would with my injury – then signing a pre-contract with Thistle changed things for me up the road. Now I just want to get back to enjoying my football and I feel like I’m doing that now.”

With wins against Airdrieonians, Queen of the South and Stenhousemuir under their belts, Thistle kicked off with the knowledge that a point would be enough to qualify for the next phase.

Even without Christie Elliott, Gary Fraser, Abdul Osman and Stuart Bannigan, there was much to admire about the way they set about things here, even if it was the visitors who carved out the first chance. Ross Millen flashed over a cross from the right wing and Aiden Malone’s header was scrambled clear by Tomas Cerny.

The opening goal arrived within seconds – at the other end. Sean Welsh’s long pass over the top was perfect for the run of the rangy Erskine, who nodded the ball cleverly beyond the stranded Andrew Murphy.

Cerny had to look lively to defy an Adam Cummins header and a fine individual effort from Joshua Watt but Thistle generally had this match in a stranglehold. Kris Doolan saw a strike tipped away as half-time approached, then, after the restart, David Wilson spurned a glorious opportunity after some fine work between Erskine and substitute David Amoo.

Amoo was later joined in the forward areas by Ade Azeez – recruited this summer from AFC Wimbledon – and Mathias Pogba – brother of soon-to-be £100 million man Paul. Azeez was defied by the bar, and an incredible Murphy save, and Amoo also went close but the all-important second goal arrived with a dominant Liam Lindsay header from a corner from man of the match Erskine.

“Gus [MacPherson] is a good manager. He makes Queen’s Park hard to play against,” said Alan Archibald, whose side face Inverness in the league next week. “We are delighted to get that victory. But the real stuff on which we will be judged starts next week.”