Partick Thistle 1 Dunfermline 1
Saturday, 21st Jan 2023Scottish Cup Fourth Round:- Rhys Breen in for Sam Fisher. Kyle Benedictus (42) 0-1: Aidan Fitzpatrick (51) 1-1: Dunfermline went out 4-2 on penalties
Despite putting up a really first rate performance and creating several good chances, Dunfermline exited the Scottish Cup losing 4-2 on penalties after extra time.
For the second successive season Dunfermline were drawn away to Partick Thisle in the Scottish Cup. It was the fourth placed team in the Championship versus the leaders of League One. James McPake was forced into making one change with Rhys Breen returning in place of Sam Fisher who was recalled from his loan by Dundee this week.
Ian McCall’s Partick Thistle showed three changes from the side that defeated Morton last time out. Ross Docherty (suspended), Steven Lawless and Brian Graham were all missing meaning starts for Harry Milne, Scott Tiffoney and Danny Mullen.
The teams came out to deafening music and it was the hosts Kyle Turner who kicked off with Thistle defending the goal at the open south end. Kyle MacDonald’s early cross forced a first minute corner but Joe Chalmers cross was defended. The Fifers initially forced Thistle back with Macdonald and Chris Mochrie hold on to possession but Aidan Fitzpatrick delivered a cross into the Pars box that required serious defending.
Chalmers had a shot blocked before from the left he was able to send over an eighth minute cross that Breen met at the far post but he glanced his header wide right.
Kyle Benedictus was penalised for his challenge on Turner and the former Par took the setpiece, over hitting the 30 yard out free kick much to the amusement of the 762 strong travelling support in the Colin Weir Stand to his left. Then in 15 a good run by Macdonald got the ball into the six yard box and the defence was relieved to concede a corner. Again Chalmers delivered, this time from the right and Matty Todd gathered the defended ball only to crash his low effort narrowly wide left from 30 yards out.
Stuart Bannigan latched on to the ball in the centre circle to send Fitzpatrick scurrying down the right wing. His shot was well saved by Deniz Mehmet who turned the fierce shot around his left hand post for a 21st minute corner, taken by Turner but suitably defended. Thistle did look as though they were becoming a bit more of a force and the Fifers survived a well struck shot from 25 yards from Tiffoney that escaped wide left.
Then another great chance came Dunfermline’s way. Todd saw his cross to Wighton in the left side of the box returned to him and his next was perfect for Macdonald at the far post but unfortunately he headed over the bar. The game swung back to the other end where Chalmers was able to block an on-target left footed shot from Fitzpatrick.
In 33 minutes Fitzpatrick got round Edwards and cut the ball back across the box. Tiffoney latched on to it but went over claiming for a penalty but Bannigan got in a shot that Mehmet held. It was Dunfermline who got the better chance just three minutes later. A Macdonald cross picked out Todd and his return was sweetly met by Wighton in front of goal but his shot hit the arm of the diving keeper and the ball was deflected over the bar.
From the corner on the left Breen headed inches over the crossbar but then there was a left off at the other end as Mehmet and Breen slipped up on the left perimeter of the Pars box. Mullen took advantage and shot at the unguarded goal but from the angle the best he could do was hit the sidenetting.
Then a 41st minute free kick 35 yards out led to a Dunfermline penalty. As the ball was delivered into the box Breen was blocked by Lee Hodson and the referee awarded a penalty. Kyle BENEDICTUS stepped forward and made no mistake. 0-1
It had been a good first half performance from the Pars and they deserved their lead in this very entertaining cup tie.
Half time: Partick Thistle 0 Dunfermline 1
The Championship side got back on level terms within six minutes of the restart. Mullen threaded a pass to FITZPATRICK to his right and he crashed the ball home the edge of the box, the ball going in off the inside of the left goalpost. 1-1
Lewis McCann came on for Chris Mochrie in 57th minute and there was a distinct fight about Thistle with Comrie getting held down and Hamilton taking a knock. Comrie won a 61st minute corner but Sneddon came out to grab Chalmers cross. Then an Edwards cross for Wighton meant Thistle conceded a corner on the left from which Hamilton sent a shot on target but Wighton in his efforts to divert it into the other corner put the ball wide right of goal.
A foul on Hamilton 35 yards out, handed Chalmers another chance to fire the ball into the Thistle box but Muirhead cleared. The ball was returned and McCann on the edge of the box hammered the ball just wide of the right upright. An Edwards long throw in 72 minutes was defended but led to another Pars corner. This was taken short by Todd to Chalmers and his cross allowed Breen a left footed shot that Sneddon dropped to his left to hold on the line.
Dunfermline were retaining a lot of possession much to the concern of the Firhill faithful and McCann launched a shot that Sneddon held. Kevin O’Hara replaced Craig Wighton in 79 minutes and play continued towards the Jags goal. Macdonald had another shot blocked and Comrie had a good interception as the home side broke on the counter.
The Fifers looked the most likely to prevent the match going to extra time, they finished the stronger but the Thistle defence held firm and there was to be 30 minutes more football.
Full Time: Partick Thistle 1 Dunfermline 1
Aidan Fitzpatrick was subbed by Cammy Smith before extra time kicked off. Hamilton’s ball in from the left led to a 97th minute corner but McCann’s connection was wild. Both sides then made another substitution and it was Kane Ritchie-Hosler who came on for the visitors in place of Joe Chalmers.
The Maryhill club were not for giving up and the Pars defence had to deal with a long Muirhead throw and a corner. Then right on half time in extra time an Edwards cross from the right fell for Hamilton at the far post but he managed to somehow send the ball over the crossbar.
Half Time in Extra Time: Partick Thistle 1 Dunfermline 1
In the final segment of the cup tie Dunfermline and Partick both pushed for the winner. Thistle wasted an 115th minute corner and survived two Edwards long throws. Neither side could find the opening and so penalties would decide which of the two progressed to the next round.
Penalty Shoot Out
Taken at the end in front of the home support.
1. Benedictus over off the crossbar
2. Muirhead nets 1-0
3. Macdonald right footed to bottom left 1-1
4. Holt scores left footed to bottom right 2-1
5 McCann smashes the net 2-2
6. Turner right footed to top left 3-2
7. Todd went left, saved by Sneddon 3-2
8. Dowds scores right side 4-2
Partick Thistle went through to the next round.
SUBS NOT USED: James Lyon, Tunji Akinola, David Mitchell (GK).
SCORERS: Fitzpatrick (51)
YELLOW CARD: Turner (90+3), Milne (104), Brownlie (111)
DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Aaron Comrie, Kyle Benedictus (c), Rhys Breen: Kyle Macdonald, Chris Hamilton, Joe Chalmers (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 100), Josh Edwards: Chris Mochrie (Lewis McCann 57), Matthew Todd: Craig Wighton (Kevin O’Hara 79).
SUBS NOT USED: Nikolay Todorov, Sam Young, Andrew Tod, Taylor Sutherland, Robbie Mahon, Max Little (GK)
SCORERS: Benedictus (42 pen.)
YELLOW CARD: Edwards (117)
REFEREE: Scott Lambie
WEATHER: Overcast 4°C
ATTENDANCE 3218
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Trust Trophy (away) v Dundee, Tuesday 24th January 2023, kick off 7.45pm at the Kilmac Stadium at Dens Park
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Match Photos To Follow.
Preview Partick Thistle
Saturday, 21st Jan 2023Scottish Cup Fourth Round (away), Saturday 21st January 2023 3.00pm kick off at Firhill
Partick Thistle have drawn Dunfermline ten times in the Scottish Cup and the Fifers have progressed on eight of those occasions. Thistle have succeeded twice came in January 2008 and the last time in November 2021.
Milestones Partick (away)
Last Victory | 10/07/21 | 4-2 | Premier Sports Cup
Last Defeat | 23/04/22 | 0-1 | Championship
Best Victory | 20/04/66 | 6-2 | Div One*
Worst Defeat | 10/11/34 | 1-7 | Div One*
Last Goalless Draw | 23/10/21 | 0-0 | Championship
First Meeting | 23/10/26 | 1-5 | Div One
*
*Pre league reconstruction
In the previous 115 meetings between the clubs Dunfermline have won 52, Partick 33 and 30 have been drawn and at Firhill, Thistle are ahead with 22 wins to the Pars 20.
Last Meeting at Firhill
Championship, Saturday 23rd April 2022
Partick Thistle 1-0 Dunfermline
Sat, 23rd Apr 2022
The Pars in eighth place sought a win that would ease them away from the danger of relegation and play offs.
In the 13th minute Jakub Stolarczyk pulled off a great save to deny Brian Graham but two minutes later Thistle scored what would turned out to be the winner. A Turner corner from the left was neatly finished by Ross DOCHERTY at the near post. 1-0
PARTICK THISTLE: Jamie Sneddon: Ciaran McKenna, Kevin Holt, Lewis Mayo, Stephen Hendrie: Kyle Turner (Steven Bell 89), Ross Docherty (c), Stuart Bannigan, Brian Graham, Alex Jakubiak (Cammy Smith 65), Scott Tiffoney (Robbie Crawford HT).
SUBS NOT USED: Olatunji Akinola, Richard Foster, Connor Murray, Kyle McAllister, Juan Alegria, Andrew Firth (GK).
DUNFERMLINE: Jakub Stolarczyk: Aaron Comrie (Matthew Todd 76), Leon Jones (Liam Polworth 76), Efe Ambrose, Rhys Breen, Josh Edwards: Dan Pybus (Dom Thomas 82): Steven Lawless (c), Joe Chalmers, Lewis McCann (Kevin O’Hara 76), Nikolay Todorov.
SUBS NOT USED: Ryan Dow, Miller Fenton, Reece Cole, Bobby Kamwa, Neil Alexander (GK)
Last Twelve Matches v Partick Thistle
The sides last met in season 2021-2022 when they went head to head six times. Partick won three including a Scottish Cup tie, Dunfermline two and one match was drawn. will be the sixth match between these sides this season.
The last dozen games between the teams have seen Dunfermline win five, drawn three and lost four.
Date | H/A | F-A | Scorers
23/04/22 A 0-1 [0-1] Docherty
22/03/22: H 4-1 [0-1] Docherty, [1-1] Mayo og (10), [2-1] Todd, [3-1] Edwards, [4-1] Thomas.
26/11/21: A 0-1 [0-1] Docherty
23/10/21: A 0-0
07/08/21: H 0-3 [0-1] Docherty, [0-2] Holt, [0-3] Graham (og 78).
10/07/21: A 4-2 [0-1] Graham, [1-1] Todorov, [2-1] Comrie, [3-1] Macdonald, [4-1] Todorov, [4-2] Rudden.
10/03/20: A 1-1 [1-0] Murray [1-1] Graham.
30/11/19: H 5-1 [1-0] Nisbet [2-0] Martin [3-0] Nisbet [4-0] Nisbet [5-0] Nisbet [5-1] Cole.
21/09/19: A 3-0 [1-0] Nisbet, [2-0] Dow, [3-0] Turner
06/04/19: A 2-2 [1-0] Beadling: [2-0] Anderson: [1-2] Blair (og): [2-2] McDonald.
26/02/19: H 3-0 [1-0] Anderson, [2-0] Devine, [3-0] Anderson
08/12/18: A 0-2 [0-1] Spittal, [0-2] Storey.
Scottish Cup Meetings
Despite Thistle being founded in 1876 and Dunfermline nine years later in 1885, it wasn’t until 1955 that the two clubs were paired in the Scottish Cup.
Thistle v Pars: The Cup Record
East End Park P5 W5 D0 L 0 F15 A4
Firhill P6 W3 D1 L2 F8 A45
Total P11 W8 D1 L2 GF23 GA9
That very first meeting took place at East End Park on 5th February 1955 in the Fifth Round of the competition. Most of the 10,500 fans at the match were disappointed as the Jags went two up before half time against Second Division Pars through goals from George Smith and Willie Sharp. In the second half the home side turned it around with two George Duthie penalties and goals from Felix Reilly and Colin McKinlay to go through 4-2. Not that it did Dunfermline much good because they were to lose 7-0 to Airdrie in the next round.
Eleven years would pass before the clubs were drawn together again. It was a home tie for the Pars and by this time in February 1966, both teams were in the top flight. Future Scotland Manager Andy Roxburgh scored for Thistle but Alex Smith, Bert Paton and Jim Fleming did likewise for the Pars in a 3-1 win.
Next season a crowd of 19,104, the biggest gate ever to watch a Thistle v Pars Scottish Cup tie, witnessed a 1-1 draw at Firhill. Billy Cunningham`s cross unfortunately led to an own goal from Roy Barry but before half time Dunfermline were back on level terms when Alex Ferguson scored. In the replay the Dunfermline attack tore Thistle apart and while their defence concentrated on stopping Fergie, Pat Delaney hit a hat-trick. Goals from Hugh Robertson and Ferguson made the tally five with one reply from Arthur Duncan.
In season 67/68 the teams were drawn against each other again, this time in the last eight and for the third time in three years Dunfermline progressed thanks to a Bert Paton strike. A semi final win over St Johnstone took the Pars to the Cup Final where they famously won 3-1 against Hearts.
In January 1999 the then Second Division, Thistle were drawn at home to SPL Dunfermline. Twice in the first half George Shaw was able to elude a challenge from Des McKeown and twice Shaw`s crosses were converted by Andy Smith. Robert Dunn raised the the Thistle hopes when he got one back from the penalty spot but Dunfermline went through to face Celtic.
Co-managers Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte welcomed Dunfermline to Firhill on 6th March 2004 but again the Pars won through 3-0. Richie Byrne put the Pars ahead after just ten minutes. Further goals from, captain for the day, Barry Nicholson and a gem from Craig Brewster sealed the Fifers place in the last four.
A Stephen Simmons double was enough to put Thistle out when the teams met in the Cup on 24th February 2007. Again the Pars went on to reach the Cup Final and in that respect Thistle have been lucky omens but they finally broke their duck with a 2-1 win in 2008. After Scott Wilson had put the Fifers ahead, two goals from Liam Buchanan caused the Pars cup exit.
The clubs met in the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup in December 2012. A red card for Thistle’s centre back Aaron Muirhead for a last man tackle on Craig Dargo in 28 minutes made the home side’s challenge all the more difficult. Eight minutes later Josh Falkingham won the ball on the right and Husband centred for Andy Barrowman to rise highest and send the ball into the bottom left of the home net.
Drama in 72 minutes when Geggan took down Erskine on the left side of the box. Referee McLean pointed to the spot and Forbes` effort was magnificently turned on to his right hand post by Gallacher and the ball travelled along the goal line to be cleared at the other post by Jordan McMillan.
At Firhill in November 2021 it took until 82 minutes before the only goal was scored and it came for Thistle. Sub MacIver threaded the ball to Docherty to his left and the Thistle captain floated the ball into the top right corner giving Fon Williams no chance.
Last six matches
DUNFERMLINE
Peterhead (H) W 4-0
FC Edinburgh (A) W 1-0
Kelty Hearts (A) W 2-1
Arbroath (A) W 5-1
Queen of the South (H) D 1-1
Peterhead (A) W 2-0
PARTICK THISTLE
Morton (H) W 2-1
Queens Park (A) L 0-2
Inverness Caley Thistle (H) W 5-1
Ayr United (H) W 3-2
Cove Rangers (A) D 1-1
Kelty Hearts (H) W 3-0
League Record
DUNFERMLINE
League One Position: 1st
League Points: 45
Goal Difference: +21
Away League Record: P10 W8 D1 L1 GF16 GA3
Last Six Match Form: WDWWWW
PARTICK THISTLE
Championship Position: 4th
League Points: 33
Goal Difference: +6
Home League Record: P7 W5 D2 L2 GF29 GA17
Last Six Match Form: WDWWLW
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v Peterhead): Deniz Mehmet: Sam Fisher, Kyle Benedictus (c), Aaron Comrie: Kyle Macdonald, Chris Hamilton, Joe Chalmers (Nikolay Todorov 81), Josh Edwards (Robbie Mahon 81): Chris Mochrie (Kane Ritchie-Hosler 78), Matthew Todd (Kevin O’Hara 78): Craig Wighton (Lewis McCann 78).
SUBS NOT USED: Rhys Breen, Miller Fenton, Sam Young, Max Little (GK)
PARTICK THISTLE (v Morton): Jamie Sneddon: Jack McMillan, Aaron Muirhead, Kevin Holt, Lee Hodson, Ross Docherty, Stuart Bannigan, Steven Lawless (Scott Tiffoney 68), Kyle Turner, Aidan Fitzpatrick (Danny Mullen 77), Brian Graham (Anton Dowds 68).
SUBS NOT USED: Darren Brownlie, Cameron Smith, Cole McKinnon, James Lyon, Zander Mackenzie, David Mitchell (GK).
Referee will be Scott Lambie.
Other Scottish Cup ties
Hibernian v Hearts
Kilmarnock v Dumbarton
Dundee United v University of Stirling
St Mirren v Dundee
Celtic v Morton
St Johnstone v Rangers
Elgin City v Drumchapel United
Arbroath v Motherwell
Linlithgow Rose v Raith Rovers
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk
Darvel v Aberdeen
Stenhousemuir v Livingston
Hamilton Academical v Ross County
Inverness Caley Thistle v Queens’ Park
Cove Rangers v Ayr United
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