Source: FOOTYMAD
Craigan 1 Thistle 0
Many of claret and amber persuasion have debated the appropriateness of the timing and opposition for Stephen Craigan's testimonial. And they will claim vindication with the 2122 crowd at FIr Park tonight. On the other hand not one other club side would have brought a support that appreciated him the way the 300 or so from Maryhill did. With both sides less than a fortnight away from competitive football this had a serious side to it as well. So it was good news all round when Scott Fox tripped Jamie Murphy in the second minute and Craigan could net the traditional penalty. To be fair to our captain it was a cracking penalty hit with power and precision into the bottom corner of Fox's net. So 1-0 Motherwell it was and like on Saturday we dominated this one though the Thistle rearguard provided a much sterner test than Dumbarton's. Murphy and Law (there is a pun about bad luck in there somewhere) both had efforts well blocked by Fox and Lasley and Higdon headed over. Clear chances were few and far between as the Thistle defence coped resolutely. Their left back struggled with Humphrey's pace but the central pairing had no problems with his crosses. The second half was scrappier than the first. Motherwell were still in control but chances were at a premium. Fox made a save from Humphrey and Lasley blazed over but other than that there was not much to write about until Murphy had a fizzing effort that cannoned off the bar with nine minutes left. Some nice passing from the rebound led to a Lawless header over the top. In injury time Thistle won a corner and Craigan was replaced by Saunders to a standing ovation and applause from fans, players and referee alike. We cleared the corner and the game was done. A 1-0 win against Partick won't have Inverness quaking in their boots but we played some sweet stuff. The midfield three will cause most teams problems and preparations continue nicely. Team: Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Humphrey, Lasley, Jennings, Law, Murphy, Higdon
