Aug112018
NEWS

The Bairns suffered defeat for the second week running as two goals in five first half minutes put Paul Hartley’s men to the sword. Rees Greenwood’s late second half strike proved to be just a consolation for Falkirk who hit the bar twice earlier in the second 45. 

Marcus Haber and Tom Owen Evans dropped out through injury as Dylan Mackin and Ruben Sammut came back into the starting XI.

The hosts made a bright start to the match and won two corners in quick succession. Both were defended resolutely by the Falkirk backline.

Scott Harrison was then forced into a terrific challenge to thwart Chris Erskine before pinging a diagonal pass to Petravicus who couldn’t quite control the ball as it went for a throw in the far corner.

Partick remained dominant in possession but couldn’t take advantage in the early exchange as chances remained at a premium.

The host’s domination of possession resulted in a goal on 25 minutes as James Penrice cut in from the left and hit a low drive that took a wicked deflection off Tom Dallison and into the back of the net. The original strike was going well wide of the target with only the change of direction from Dallison’s midriff taking the ball past Fasan.

Dennon Lewis went straight on the attack for the Bairns as he sent a terrific ball across the box which was inches away from Dylan Mackin.

Thistle then doubled their advantage just two minutes later as Chris Erskine drifted in from the right and hammered a drive into the top corner. It left Paul Hartley’s men with a mountain to climb with 15 minutes to the interval.

The Falkirk boss made two changes at the break to try and turn things around as Deimantas Petravicius and Ruben Sammut were replaced by Mark Russell and Rees Greenwood.

Just shy of the hour mark the first of two big chances came for the Bairns. Andrew Irving fired a terrific free kick from 25 yards which smacked the bar before deflecting back off Cammy Bell and out for a corner.

Then came an opportunity for Scott Harrison who headed onto the bar from a corner. Luck just wasn’t on Falkirk’s side as they searched for a route back into the match.

Tom Dallison was next to go close for the Bairns as he headed towards goal, but his effort that was destined for the top corner was tipped over by Cammy Bell.

Falkirk’s pressure continued as Paul Paton dinked the ball to Jordan McGhee who side footed inches wide of the target at the near post.

The goal that Falkirk had been searching for all second half finally came on 92 minutes as Rees Greenwood drilled a terrific drive into the bottom corner. It proved too little too late though for the Navy Blue as the hosts held onto all three points.

FULL TIME: PARTICK THISTLE 2-1 FALKIRK

Falkirk: Fasan, McGhee, Muirhead, Dallison, Paton, Petravicius, Sammut, Lewis, Harrison, Mackin, Irving

Subs: Mutch, Kidd, Froxylias, Robson, O’Hara, Greenwood, Russell

Partick Thistle: Bell, Elliott, Penrice, O’Ware, McGinty, Spittal, Erskine, Storer, Gordon, Slater, Storey

Subs: Sneddon, Keown, Doolan, Melbourne, Wilson, Fitzpatrick

Referee: Kevin Clancy