After a poor result last week, Thistle would need to win the next two group games to get to the quarters and what a way to bounce back. Thistle started this game against AC Harleys who are favourites to win the first division with some very good team passing early on. They looked to be the first on the score sheet with two dangerous corners but Harleys managed to do enough to put the headers off target. Henderson then dribbled in from wide right unchallenged but his shot was wide. Harleys then pushed forward and against play won a corner which was defended poorly but after a good ball to the back post it was made an easy goal for the free man to head into the net. Harleys seemed to have taken some confidence from this goal and started pressing for a second. Harleys corners seemed to cause Thistle some trouble but after another few dangerous moments in the box the score remained by one goal to nil. Deuchars near the end of the half combined well with Duncan up the left flank to create a chance for Thomson who turns brilliantly but his shot hit the post. Harleys managed to get a shot in before the half time whistle but Marshall held with ease. With the teams swapping sides Thistle started with pace, firstly Duncan playing defence splitting pass for Thomson to run onto but a tremendous save from the Harleys keeper it was tipped out for a corner. A pass from the back forward to Connor who flicked on the ball to Henderson who rounded a defender at the edge of the box and slotted the ball in the bottom left corner leaving the keeper no chance. Harleys reacted by going forward and testing Marshall again from the right but Marshall does well again. Thistle then took control of the game gaining a corner. Henderson delivers to the front post and Connor rises to head it in the net. With Thistle now leading Thomson is replaced by Allan who’s first touch is after a throw flicked on by Connor to his feet and is smashed in from close range. Mclean who had been running ragged all game was desperate to get on the score line and tried a solo effort after turning to boys out wide and hitting a long ranged shot but the keeper held firm. Then not long after, Thistle made it four. It was déjà vu when Henderson whipped the ball in from a corner and Connor raised above the crowd of players to head in to the net again. With fifteen minutes left on the clock Harleys pushed forward and received a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Glennie. Harleys player stepped up but a fantastic save from Marshall was to deny what could have been a way back in to the game for Harleys. With Thistle playing some fantastic football and not long left on the clock, this was the goal that capped a brilliant team goal. Starting from Marshall in goal throwing out to Mclachlan, who plays the ball in to Connor who has space and time to play out wide to Henderson he then plays an inch perfect diagonal ball to Mclean who takes it in with a superb first touch and fires it in to the net to make it five at the end of the game. A brilliant team performance from every player which sets up the next game to be an exciting game as everything is to play for.
