Walsh wonder strike nets Caley the win
PARTICK THISTLE 0 INVERNESS CT 1 WALSH (71)
Inverness broke their run of seven successive draws with a victory in Glasgow thanks to a second-half wonder strike from Tom Walsh to move up to fourth in the Championship.
Partick have only enjoyed a victory over Inverness once in their previous six meetings, five of those when they both held Premiership status and, on their first-half showing, might have felt they would improve on that record.
But Caley were worthy of victory on their second-half showing.
Caley boss John Robertson said: “I’m relieved for the players as that’s 24 games unbeaten, a club record, and I don’t think they have got the credit they deserve because of the draws. It’s frustrating.
“To stop the run of draws with a win, the players will get the credit they deserve.
“It was a wonderful goal to win the game, but it took a great double save from Mark Ridgers, who has been outstanding for over a year, to see us over the line. Thistle looked the livelier, first half, and it was roles reversed second half and we started to create the chances. There was a real heart in the defence and we stood up and it was a battling three points.
“Ayr and County dropping points was a bonus, but not till after 18 games will we take stock. We need to keep winning games and picking up points.”
The Maryhill outfit, who have now managed just two wins and 11 defeats in their last 13 outings, almost made the perfect start in 11 minutes when Blair Spittal and Kris Doolan combined to set up Jai Quitongo, but the striker’s low, 16-yard effort was well saved by keeper Mark Ridgers.
Inverness had to wait until the 24th minute for their first effort on goal when Liam Polworth’s right-foot 20-yard freekick was clutched low down by keeper Cammy Bell. One minute later at the other end, Doolan dragged the ball wide from 15 yards when he should have hit the target.
Chances began to arrive thick and fast and Caley’s Tom Walsh saw his snap shot from 20 yards pushed away by Bell at full stretch on the half hour mark.
Caley’s best opportunity of the first period came after 34 minutes when George Oakley picked out Walsh on the right and his cross found the ex-Firhill captain unmarked, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Craig Slater.
Two minutes later, Slater turned provider with a cross for Doolan, but again the normally lethal hit-man hooked his shot wide.
Inverness grew in confidence in the second period, but passed up a glaring chance in 63 minutes when Walsh somehow managed to chip the ball to the back post. Oakley, unchallenged and with the goal gaping, headed wide.
The Highlanders finally got the breakthrough they deserved in 71 minutes with a sensational strike from 25 yards by Walsh.
His curling, right-footed effort flew high into the top right-hand corner of the net. Bell did get a hand to it but there was too much power on the shot to keep it out.
Four minutes later, Gary Caldwell’s side had the chance to level when Charlie Trafford handled in the box, but Ridgers saved Spittal’s spot-kick and recovered magnificently to save the follow up from Doolan.
Firhill boss Gary Caldwell, who endured his fourth successive defeat since taking over from Alan Archibald in mid-October, said: “It was very frustrating, but I was very proud of them. They showed desire and energy and gave absolutely everything. We are bitterly disappointed, but it is progress.
“You make your own luck. It is only us that can change it and the run we are on. Their attitude was first class and they have to keep believing and producing.
“It’s up to me to change things, but it won’t happen overnight.”