A masterstroke by Alan MacDonald saw us line up in the home shirt combined with the away claret shorts. At least we looked like a football team.
McDonald and McCormack started the game supported by Foran on the right. We were fast out the blocks and it seemed that we would overwhelm the Maryhill team. Foran scored the first in five minutes, McDonald the supplier. An indication of our early domination was that Thistle had not crossed the halfway line until the opener.
Our second came after Lasley's sharpness enabled him to rob Gibson and charge into attack. He passed to McDonald and his cross found Foran at the far post, his header found the net.
At that stage it seemed that we might embarrass the lower division team. The difference in fitness and touch between the two teams was obvious to all. We lost a silly goal in twenty five minutes when a harmless dead ball was floated into the six yard box. No one took charge and the ball bounced a yard off the line and into the net. The defenders and the goalie exchanged angry looks. We failed to finish them off before the break.
McBride made a mess of an unmarked opportunity (this summed up his contribution) and McDonald had a good penalty claim turned away.
Quinn was replaced by Fitzpatrick a few minutes into the second half and moved to the left back slot.
Foran blew the chance of his hat trick when McDonald set him up with a clear shot on goal but he fired at the keeper and the chance was gone. Within a minute the visitors equalised. Roberts swept it in from the left of the penalty box.
At this stage Malpas withdrew McBride for McGarry and we pushed forward again to avoid further embarrassment.
The winner was a peach. Clarkson burst down the left wing and sent over a perfect cross and the unmarked McGarry met it with a solid header to beat Arthur.
At last, Malpas has his first win. Let's hope we wear the same kit at