Partick Thistle 2 - 1 Livingstone: Firhill for thrills and spills but visitors get the Lions’ share

FOR once the old place lived up to its billing, “Firhill for Thrills”, as Partick and Livingston served up a cracker. That it was John Hughes and his improving men from West Lothian who edged their way to the points was almost secondary at the end of a game neither team warranted losing.

This was a fixture that could have gone either way down the entertainment turnpike with either one of those dreaded end-of-season non-events between two sides with precious little to play for or a wide-open spectacle full of thrills, spills, chances and outrageous goals. Thankfully, we were bestowed with the second option.

The notion that this could have been a borefest was swiftly dispelled as Thistle took the lead before Livi levelled inside 20 minutes. Paul Cairney fired home for the Jags at the end of a flowing move before rookie home keeper, Ryan Scully, was undone by a combination of Rory Boulding’s trundling strike and a massive bobble off the threadbare surface.

It was to the credit of both teams that the chances continued to flow despite the barren underfoot conditions. Iain Russell saw Scully redeem himself with a fingertip save before the youngster blocked a Boulding effort with his feet, whilst at the other end Chris Erskine saw his deflected drive skid inches wide.

The second period started with an even bigger bang than the first as Livi roared into a two-goal lead. Boulding capitalised on some comic-cuts defending to tap into an empty goal and Russell grabbed a stunning third with an inch-perfect chip from distance.

The scoreline was harsh on Thistle, who had offered much to the encounter and they rallied to reduce the deficit with a blockbuster of their own when full-back Aaron Sinclair smashed a brilliant left-footed free kick into the far top corner. If this had been Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp we would be seeing it for weeks from all sorts of angles – it was a strike deserving of a bigger audience.

Thistle kept plugging away in the search for a leveller, but found it tough going against Livi who were now happy to sit in and look to hit on fast-paced counters. Ultimately for all their endeavours Thistle could not find a way to goal and, indeed, it took a late save from Scully to deny the livewire Boulding his hat-trick.