Preview Partick Thistle

A Stephen Simmons double was enough to put Thistle out the last time the teams met in the Scottish Cup - 24th February 2007.

Partick Thistle have played Dunfermline eight times in the Scottish Cup and if they win on Saturday it will be the first time.  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.

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 in Dunfermline but this time 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 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 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 and went on to play Celtic in the Final. 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 the last time the teams met in the Cup - 24th February 2007. Again the Pars went on to reach the Cup Final and in that respect Thistle have been lucky omens.

Thistle`s last home win was in the last round of the Cup against Ayr United. Roberts and Buchanan resurrected Thistle`s Cup hopes with goals after Williams had put Ayr ahead. That was only their second home win since early September but Jim McIntyre and his players will not be fooled into false optimism by that since the memory of their own 1-1 draw at Firhill on 15th December is still fresh enough in the memory.

Dunfermline remain unbeaten since Stephen Kenny`s departure on 4th December.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE: Paul Gallacher; Calum Woods, Jamie Harris, Scott Thomson (Scott Wilson 66), Danny Murphy; Michael McGlinchey (Iain Williamson 75), Stephen Simmons, Stevie Crawford (c), Scott Morrison; Mark Burchill, Jim Hamilton (Jim McIntyre 75).
SUBS: Sean Murdoch (GK), Nick Phinn.

PARTICK THISTLE: Jonny Tuffey; Michael Robertson, Mark Twaddle, Willie Kinniburgh (Billy Gibson 81), Alan Archibald, Kevin McKinlay,  David Rowson, Simon Storey (Gary Harkins 40), Ryan McStay (Liam Buchanan 70), Stevie Murray,  Mark Roberts
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Hinchcliffe (GK), Stephen Connor

Referee for this match is Scott McDonald.  He was the referee in the Pars 0-0 draw at McDiarmid Park earlier this season..