Forfar Athletic 0 Partick Thistle 2

Forfar Athletic exited the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup on Saturday at the hands of Partick Thistle in a 2-0 defeat at Station Park.

A Ben Stanway goal after twenty minutes saw the Jags in front and despite a number of chances, it took them until the 90th minute to extend their lead through Alex Samuel as they eased into the Fourth Round at the expense of a Loons side that huffed and puffed throughout the 90 and had Neil Stafford to thank for a number of good saves.

Jim Weir made one sole change from the win over Dumbarton as Lyle Wark came in for the unavailable Scott Bright. Marc McCallum was named on the bench as he continues his recovery, albeit sporting a mask to protect his injury.

It was Partick Thistle’s first visit to Station Park since the COVID affected 2020/21 season, and their first with fans in the ground since a League Cup meeting in August 2012, Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless scoring in a 2-0 win while Gavin Swankie missed a penalty for the Loons.

The visitors, whose squad contained two former residents of Station Park in Cammy Logan and the popular Scott Martin, had their first chance after just two minutes as a slick passing move ended with Ben Stanway curling just past the post.

Stuart Morrison couldn’t find the target with a header in the tenth minute as Forfar tried to battle their Championship opponents.

Stanway broke the deadlock ten minutes later as Logan hit the bar with a lob and the ball fell to him to stroke home from within the six yard box.

Shortly after Neil Stafford made a great save from close range to deny Alex Samuel as Thistle continue to up their pressure.

Kyle Turner looked like he had an opportunity deflected wide after the half hour mark, however referee Iain Snedden pointed for a goal kick.

As the game creeped up to half time, Stafford had another excellent stop to push a header at the back post away.

Weir made two changes at the break with Morrison and Wark replaced by Lorimer and Richardson.

The second half was a large spell of wasted play for both sides as Forfar didn’t look like troubling Partick while they couldn’t create their own chances.

A cross into the box in the 72nd minute was flicked on for Samuel but again Stafford reacted quickly to smother his header.

Stanway was hopeful of doubling his and Thistle’s tally for the day shortly after but his effort crept just past the post.

A rare Forfar chance fell to Mackenzie Lemon who saw his header parried before being cleared.

Stafford was to thank again as he kept the score the way it was in the 85th minute; getting down well to tip a Ts’oanelo Lets’osa strike round the post.

The game was sealed in injury time and it started with a Forfar free kick into the box tha was diverted towards goal by Lemon but the Thistle keeper gathered before they broke up the pitch and Logan squared the ball for Alex Samuel to double their advantage.

Forfar switch their focus back to league action and will return to this at Station Park when we host East Kilbride next Saturday.

Stafford, Martin, Wark (Richardson 46), Morrison (Lorimer 46), Allan, Dolzanski, Shepherd, Rennie, Mailer, Lemon, Whatley (Cannon 73)

Subs not used: McLinden, McCallum