“This is a team we can beat”
said Tannahill ‘A’ boss Gerry McDonagh of
Tans 1st Division opponents in the dressing room before
the match. How right he was as Tans dominated the first
half, passing up a host of chances before finding the
net three times.
First to threaten was Gordon Kelso when he stole in
at the back post to meet a Willie Hamilton free kick,
but his effort was fired over the bar. Graham Morrison
then collected a pass from Willie Hamilton and sent
Martin Montgomery clear, but his threat was snuffed
out by a combination of the keeper and the centre half.
The opening goal would soon follow though. Kelso and
Neil Fraser broke up a Thistle attack and found Morrison
on the left. He fired a ball into the channel for Gary
Cahill who made his way to the bye line and brilliantly
cut the ball back into the path of the onrushing Walter
McMenamay who steered the ball into the corner.
Tans were in control by now, with the back four looking
assured and Hamilton in particular, in midfield, expertly
breaking up Thistle’s play and putting Tans on
the front foot. Gary Cahill went close with an acrobatic
effort, before Tans went two goals up with the best
move of the match. Goalkeeper, Gordon Windsor threw
out to Kelso who found Morrison of the halfway line.
He cut in-field and played a delightful reverse pass
to Cahill who bore down on goal and cracked in a fierce
shot which the keeper could only parry. The ball broke
out to Morrison, who had continued his run, to side
foot home from eight yards.
Thereafter for a ten minute spell Thistle put Tans
under pressure and Windsor was suddenly very busy, firstly
brilliantly blocking a goal bound effort with his feet
then clawing away a terrific in-swinging corner. Almost
on half time, Tans could have gone three up when Cahill
was sent through one on one but the keeper made a good
stop. From the resultant corner, Kelso flicked on for
Morrison whose shot was tipped on to the bar only for
Cahill to finally claim a goal when stooped to head
in from close range.
HALF TIME 0-3
The second half was more even, but with Thistle reduced
to shooting from distance and Tans creating the better
openings. Early in the second half Gordon Kelso was
involved again, sending Lee McMenamay clear on the left,
but he was out of luck as his curling shot bounced back
off the inside of the post to safety.
The chances kept coming for Tans. Morrison latched
on to a through ball and rounded the keeper but his
weak shot from a tight angle was easily stopped by the
last defender. Cahill forced another good save from
the Thislte keeper then shaved the post with a diving
header from a wicked Martin Montgomery free kick.
Tans best chance to increase the lead came midway through
the half. Kelso found Hamilton who split the defence
to allow Morrison to burst into the box before being
knocked to the ground for a penalty. Lee McMenamay,
though, could only watch in agony as he cracked the
post for a second time.
The last 15 minutes were largely uneventful as Tans
confortably saw out the game to progress to the next
round of the Fleming Cup.
For photos from the match click here
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