If I were to call Partick a pub team after yesterday’s performance, I would have 99% of the Sunday league sides on the phone asking me not to embarrass them by putting the Jags in the same class as them. The hard truth is that Thistle are a joke at the moment, if they win a match this season, I will be very surprised, if they win against Livi this season, find me a tramp, and I will munch on his sweaty smelly knickers.
The Jags started the match as they have done with nearly every match this season, with a lone striker up front. If Thistle are to get themselves out of this mess, they will need to start thinking positive, not coming to places like Livingston and trying to defend for ninety minutes. Livingston went into this one with great confidence, and in most Livi supporters views, there was only going to be one winner.
Livingston were first to test Kenny Arthur in the Partick goal when JP McGovern latched onto a pass from Davide Fernandez, but the youngster saw his effort comfortably saved by the Jags keeper. Unlucky for Livi, but at this point of the match, they were by far the better side.
Thistle did carve out a chance when Livi favourite Marvin Andrews played a short pass-back to the keeper, but Roddy McKenzie spared Marv from embarrassment and he cleared the ball just in time, as David Rowson was ready to pounce.
Partick threatened again and nearly took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute when Rowson and John-Paul McBride teamed up to create half-chance for Jamie Mitchell, who saw his shot whiz agonisingly wide. Another decent chance to Partick, but again some dreadful finishing lets them down. Maybe that’s the reason they are sitting at the bottom of the table.
Livi nearly punished Partick a couple of minutes later when Davide Fernandez jinxed past David Lilley easily, and crossed over an inch perfect pass to Derek Lilley, who just missed the target when it looked easier to score. Partick were no riding their luck and Livingston were getting closer to that opening goal.
Livingston did find the breakthrough in the 25th minute when Burton O’Brien was taken down by Rowson in the box and Alan Freeland had no hesitation and pointed to the spot. Derek Lilley calmly stepped up and fired the ball past Arthur who had dived the wrong way. At this point in the match, Livingston were by far the better side, and were deservedly in front.
Thistle did come close to equalising after McBride sent Mitchell through but Mitchell saw his effort blocked by Roddy McKenzie in the Livi goal.
Livingston finished the half the better side, and their pressure paid off in first half stoppage time when Fernandez latched after some terrible defending by Partick and squared the ball to Lee Makel, who looked to have wandered off side, but the Englishman slotted the ball past Arthur and the goal was given.
Partick tried to introduce fresh legs after half time when they made a double substitution, which saw McBride and Andrew Ross being replaced with Adrian Madaschi and former Lion Gerry Britton.
Livingston should have added to their lead when Fernandez was through on the goalie, but he opted to be unselfish and passed to Lilley, but by that time, the Thistle defence had regrouped and the ball was booted to safety. Fernandez lacks confidence at the moment, and once he gets that goal he is trying so hard for, then Livingston will really see the best of him.
The impressive Arthur made a spectacular save when Stuart Lovell was fed the ball from McGovern, but Lovell saw his drive brilliantly saved and Fernandez saw his goal bound effort tipped away for a corner. So nearly a third for the Lions.
JP McGovern was next to be denied a goal when he saw his drive pushed onto the crossbar by Arthur. When you see the replay, you realise how good the save really was. The ball looked to be heading for the top corner, the shot was deflected by a Partick defender, but Arthur somehow managed to get a fingertip to it, and he is the only Partick player to leave Almondvale with some credibility.
Partick did have a couple of chances to get a goal back, but some poor finishing summed up just how bad the Jags are.
Fine performance from Livi, but they must remember that they were playing a second division side.
(Thanks to Mid Calder Lion for the photo's)
Livingston: McKenzie; Dorado, Andrews, Rubio; McGovern, Lovell, Kerr, Makel, O’Brien; Lilley, Fernandez (Camacho 77). Subs: Arthur, Snodgrass, Lauchlan, Montgomery.
Partick Thistle: Arthur; Lilley, Murray, Whyte, Milne; Mitchell, Rowson, Ross (Madaschi 45), Fleming (Howie 70); Grady, McBride (Britton 45). Subs: Gemmell, Mikkelsen.
ALAN FREELAND
Former Celtic player and manager Davie Hay is hoping his old club can keep winning so he can take advantage to secure the permanent return of David Fernandez to Livingston.
The Livi caretaker-boss watched the Spaniard turn in another man-of-the-match display against Partick as he relishes regular first-team football again.
Fernandez has joined the West Lothian club on a year-long loan after failing to break into the Parkhead first team last season. Now Hay believes another successful campaign for the Hoops can only help his hopes of bringing the player back permanently.
He said: "David is relishing being back playing regularly and he seems stronger and more intelligent as a player since his time with Celtic.
"It's difficult to get into the Celtic team at the moment, so we hope that they keep playing well and winning and that Fernandez stays here."