Preview Partick Thistle

Partick Thistle have played Dunfermline nine times in the Scottish Cup and the Fifers have progressed on eight of those occasions.

Partick Thistle have played Dunfermline nine times in the Scottish Cup and the Fifers have progressed on eight of those occasions.  The sole Thistle success came the last time the two were paired on 22nd January 2008.  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 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.

Partick Thistle are undefeated at home this season and have scored 16 goals in their last four home games; it really does live up to its billing of Firhill for Thrills!

Jim Jefferies will be hoping that his Dunfermline team apply themselves much better than they did three weeks ago at Firhill when they lost by a thumping 5-1. For the meeting of the Scottish First Division top two placed clubs the bookmakers make the home side even money favourites.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE: Paul Gallacher, Andy Geggan, Andy Dowie, Callum Morris, Jordan McMillan (c); Josh Falkingham (Shaun Byrne 76), Stephen Husband, Ryan Thomson, Joe Cardle; Andy Kirk (Andy Barrowman 83), Ryan Wallace (Craig Dargo 73).
SUBS NOT USED: John Potter, Michal Hrivnak (GK)

PARTICK THISTLE: Graeme Smith; Stephen O`Donnell, Aaron Muirhead, Aaron Sinclair Hugh Murray, Conrad Balatoni, Chris Erskine (David Wilson 89), S Bannigan, Ross Forbes, Kris Doohlan (Marc McGuian 81) Stevie Lawless (Jonathan Black 88)
SUBS NOT USED: Ludovic Roy, Allan Archibald

Referee for this match is Steven McLean