A poor crowd, supplemented by the 64 (I counted) making the journey down to Glasgow meant a flat pre-match atmosphere, perhaps the result of some unconvincing pre-season performances from the home side.
Scott McCulloch had recovered from his injury from last week but Nicholas and Fleming were missing, which meant Andy Gibson and Snowdon started at right midfield and left back respectively. Jimmy Gibson also returned to midfield while Ricky Gillies lined up in attack. The visitors were without a number of midfielders, and handed debuts to four new signings, including former Thistle U19 defender David Wilson.
Cowdenbeath kicked off but it wasn’t long before Thistle took control and were soon pressuring the visitors on a regular basis. Jimmy Gibson took a firm hold - couldn’t we have done with some of that last season? - and it wasn’t long before we started to create some good chances. Excellent work on the right from Andy Gibson brought a swift cross, headed on by Darren Brady and rammed into the side netting from close range by an advancing Ricky Gillies. The crowd were responding to some clever passing movements from an increasingly confident Thistle side.
In fact Andy Gibson, deservedly Man of the Match in my opinion, caused trouble all day down the right flank against a miserable Cowdenbeath full back. I tackled my second steak pie with more vigour and aggression than he showed all afternoon. Soon after, more good work and a wonderful cross was just missed by the attacking Gillies. The first half continued to provide more chances for Thistle with good chances falling to Kilgannon from an excellent cross from Brady and Brady himself with a long range effort just past the post.
There was very little in response from the away side who were so lacking in fire power Gerry Adams would have been bristling with envy. The only moment of concern came from a slip by Snowdon, who looked uncomfortable at times at left back, which led to an excellent break and shot from the Cowden number 9. Kenny Arthur saved well. In fact Kenny displayed a far more confident and controlled performance than last week’s shambles even though he had little to do. He was to be heard shouting and controlling his defence throughout, which would have given them more confidence in him.
The fans had to wait for the 32nd minute for the first goal, however, and it came from some more sterling work from the ever-improving Andy Gibson. A break from midfield and run at the defence left him an easy ball to McConalogue who scored low to the keeper’s right with a beautiful shot on the run. Well-deserved but too long in coming.
The only disappointment in the first half came from Thistle’s failure to score more. Further opportunities fell to McConalogue and Gillies and seemed that every good thing we achieved had come from the work of Andy Gibson. I would also point out that the central defensive pairing of Smyth and McCulloch were sound all afternoon. Changed days indeed. Even Darren Brady looked a completely different player today but don’t forget the standard of the opposition.
No changes at half time, understandably, and the second half was very much more of the same. It didn’t take long for Thistle to take control again and it was Sean Kilgannon, the only player who disappointed for me today, who wasted the first opportunity with a poor cross after some good lead up work. Plenty of time on the ball to direct his pass, he sent it high and wide. A speedy player who will prove useful if he can show the consistency of last week against Hamilton. He didn’t today.
The lack of goals was proving to be frustrating for the Thistle support. So much possession was being squandered and you can be sure we won’t get it so easy in the weeks to come. The second goal came after 55 minutes and, again, it was was clever work down the left which led to the cross. Kilgannon crossed perfectly for wee Andy Gibson to meet with a downward header and his first goal, by my reckoning, since that famous night in Dundee four and a half years ago. 2-0.
Thistle had almost constant possession by the hour mark when old defensive frailties seemed to return to haunt us. A stray pass let the Cowden attack through and it was only a superb goal-saving tackle from Smyth which saved a goal. Bizarrely, barely a minute later, Gillies did the same thing sending a short pass back on to the oncoming striker only this time Smyth was booked for the resulting tackle. The free kick came to nothing but we must live and learn.
The game seemed to die after Kilgannon went off to be replaced by fit again Billy Gibson. Dick Campbell switched Andy Gibson to the left and, while he did cause problems for the right back, he was never as effective. John McGoldrick and Mark Stewart came on for Andy Gibson and Stephen MCConalogue respectively but the game was all but over. Last incident of note was a thirty yard screamer of a free kick from Scott Mculloch which would have stung the goalkeeper’s hands. Surely a weapon to be used this season.
Overall, we have to be happy with a confidence boosting win today which should set us up for next week. I would be concerned with a couple of things though. Perhaps Jimmy Gibson and Darren Brady are too similar players to have in the centre of midfield. I would like to see a big striker allow Ricky Gillies to play deeper if he is to be effective. He was caught out of position on a few occasions to day. I don’t think Will Snowdon is the answer at left back as positionally he was awful at times and caught too far upfield. A comfortable win but let us wait and see…
MOM – Andy Gibson