Partick Thistle crashed out the Premier Sports Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Aberdeen.
The Dons proved one step too far for the Scottish Championship leaders who found themselves 3-0 down at half time. Despite creating some chances of their and forcing early corners Thistle found themselves a goal down after a devastating counter attack was finished off by Aberdeen’s Duk. Ian McCall’s men continued to battle in the contest but a second blow was dealt by Kevin Holt fired a Duk shot into his own net. Another moment of misfortune saw another cruel deflection as Jim Goodwin’s met hit a killer third.
An injury to Holt just before half time capped off a miserable night for the Glasgow club, who endured a difficult night in the North East. Thistle came back fighting in the second half with Darren Brownlie netting from a corner. Brian Graham was thrown on to try and search for a second but the game turned scrappy before Aberdeen netted a fourth.
Here is three things we learned as Thistle exited the cup:
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First half misfortune
If Thistle were going to take anything from tonight they needed the rub of the green.
Instead they got the opposite, with an own goal and a deflection costing them.
They might have thought they got away with one when they were spared by referee David Munro when Aaron Muirhead brought Duk down for the second time whilst already on a booking.
But an own goal from Kevin Holt was closely followed by a wicked deflected goal off Jack McMillan. They say bad things comes in three and just before half time Holt was stretchered off.
It just wasn’t Thistle’s night and the Glasgow side will have to wait till the Scottish Cup before they can dream of a Hampden day again.
Premiership class
Partick Thistle may be a division below their rivals but they put in a display worthy of a Premiership side at times.
That said a defensive calamity showed the level above McCall’s men will aspire to reach if they can gain promotion to the top flight this season.
The Jags played some good stuff at times, trying to make positive passes and take control in the midfield. But sloppy wayward passing and decision making gifted the Dons chances, which ultimately led to the goals.
The Maryhill side can take a lot from the performance, even if they were on the end of a sore one.
Fighting Spirit
The Jags looked dead and buried going into the second half at 3-0 down.
After a couple of early scares Thistle found their feet and began to cause problems as they forced the Dons back.
Brownlie was brought on for Scott Tiffoney who had struggled to make an impact. And that decision quickly paid off as he met a corner floated in by Stuart Bannigan.
A much better second half display showed plenty of character and spirit from McCall’s side.
That fight could see Thistle overcome more obstacles as they strive to stay top of the Championship.
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