Venue: Firhill, Glasgow
Opponents: Clyde
Attendance:
Final Score: 3-1
Scorers: McKinstry, Britton (2) /
Misc:
- Highlights from STV's Football First
- Clyde had ex JagKevin Budinauckas in goals
ALAN McMILLAN reports
PARTICK THISTLE ..3 CLYDE ……………..0
COCKY Clyde were well and truly Banjoed as the high-flying Jags stayed top of the league.
A wonder strike by James "Banjo" McKinstry and two from top scorer Gerry Brittonkept the points at Firhill.
But McKinstry warned Thistle fans not to count on many more goals after claiming just his third in four years.
The wing-back said: "The workman behind the goal must have been running for cover when he saw me about to shoot but luckily the ball finished in the the net.
"I only scored two goals in four years at Clydebank and that's my first for Thistle but I was delighted with it, especially as it came from my left foot.
"It's not really my job to score so I'm not expecting this to be the first of many. If I can help set them up for others I'll be quite happy."
As well as entertaining the fans, McKinstry is capable of entertaining his team-mates.
He said: "I took my guitar on our pre-season trip to Ireland to have a sing-song with the lads and John Lambiestarted calling me Banjo.
"He seems to think a banjo and a guitar are the same thing and for some reason the name stuck."
Thistle gave former Metz keeper David Kleinhis home debut and the 28-year-old Frenchman, who is on a short-term contract, was quikly involved as he stopped a 30-yard free-kick from Jack Ross.
Klein failed to hold a David Hagen corner as Clyde kept pressing and he was lucky Britton was lying handy to clear.
In the 10th minute Pat Keogh's lay-off set up Brian McPheefor a curler that was just too high.
However, a minute later it was Thistle who went ahead with their first attack of note.
Derek Fleming sent a good ball through for Britton and he side-stepped the keeper before firing into an empty net.
The striker almost scored again after a strong run down the right by McKinstry but this time his effort was blocked.
Home fans roared for McPhee to be sent off when he seemed to catch McKinstry with a flailing arm but referee Ian Frickleton took the view it was accidental and let the striker away with just a word of caution.
Thistle should have scored again in the 33rd minute. Keeper Kevin Budinauckas did brilliantly to block a close-range shot by Britton and Scott McLean's effort from the rebound was cleared off the line by Bryan Smith.
However, the second was only delayed by 60 seconds. Britton took a throw from Klein and surged down the right before setting up McKinstry who cut inside and curled home a beautiful 18-yarder.
Five minutes before the break Keogh had the ball in the net for Clyde but the flag was up for offside.
Keogh wasted a chance at the start of the second period when he headed a McPhee cross over the top.
McLean forced Budinauckas into another fine save as Thistle continued to stretch their opponents on the break.
Britton was next to threaten with a shot across goal that Alan Kernaghanbooted away.
Thistle's third goal duly arrived in the 71st minute. Danny Lennonhad a shot blocked but the ball fell for Britton to turn and fire past Budinauckas.
Jags were fired up to do well after hearing Clyde boasting of their five-game unbeaten run against their old rivals.
Firhill boss Lambie, who dedicated victory to honorary club president James Aitkenfollowing his death last week, said: "I never like to shout about that kind of thing because it motivates the opposition.
"The manager is likely to cut the piece out of the newspaper and stick it up on the dressing-room wall.
"I'm just delighted with the points. We didn't have a failure."
Clyde manager Allan Maitlandsaid: "We passed the ball well enough but never caused them problems. Full credit toThistle – their first two goals were superb."
MoM: McKinstry (Partick Thistle)
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