Partick's poor finishing lets Carlisle off the hook
Last updated 17:10, Monday, 21 July 2008
Partick Thistle 0 Carlisle Utd 0: Carlisle United's defenders will be hoping they encounter such inept finishing from opposing forwards next season after Partick Thistle's mis-firing strikers let them off the hook.
Thistle manager Ian McCall, whose side kicks off the new Scottish campaign next weekend, conceded afterwards he desperately needs extra firepower if his side is to challenge for promotion to the Scottish Premier League next season.
After brushing non-league Kendal Town aside with a 4-0 win in their opening warm-up game, Carlisle will be glad to have been given a much more taxing work-out as they step up their preparations for the League One kick off in three weeks' time.
The home side, who are more advanced than Carlisle with their pre-season preparations, enjoyed greater possession and territorial advantage but huffed and puffed in front of goal as they spurned a string of chances.
Carlisle boss John Ward, pictured, will have been highly satisfied with his side's performance, which came at the end of a week's training get-together in Glasgow.
Friendlies tell you nothing about teams - but ask any footballer and they'll tell you pre-season is a crucial time, as a month's work can set the tone for the entire season.
It's a time to impose philosophy, garner spirit, work on shape and on attitude before the serious stuff starts for Carlisle at Bristol Rovers on August 9.
Ward used Saturday's game as a chance to give virtually every member of his first-team squad a run-out in the glorious Glasgow sunshine.
With striker Danny Graham confined to the stand with blisters on his feet, Scott Dobie was given the chance to start the game in a central striking role for the opening 45 minutes, supported on either flank by Cleveland Taylor and Simon Hackney.
Then the United boss rang the changes with a string of substitutions in a stop-start second half to make sure the majority of his players were given a lung-opener.
Ward has indulged in little retail therapy during the close season with only goalkeeper Ben Williams and defender Josh Gowling arriving at Brunton Park this summer, but on this showing his Partick counterpart will still be enlisting new recruits to bolster their strike-force even when the new season gets underway.
Carlisle best chances came in the opening 20 minutes, with Hackney quick to capitalise on a mistake by John Robertson but the winger's angled shot was batted away by Jags keeper Jonny Tuffey.
Moments later, midfielder Grant Smith - watched from the stand by his dad, Scottish FA chief Gordon Smith - rounded Tuffey and cut the ball back to Taylor, but his chipped shot ricocheted off the bar.
Williams, playing his second friendly since joining United from Crewe as replacement for Keiren Westwood, had a comfortable game.
The former Manchester United trainee keeper reacted smartly to palm away Simon Donnelly's free kick, before the alert Paul Paton stabbed the rebound wide.
Hackney had another good first-half chance when he controlled a pass from Peter Murphy and had time and space to pick his spot, but dithered and sent a tame effort wide.
Ward sent out a new-look side for the second half and within minutes they were on the back-foot as Thistle sub Kevin McKinlay missed a great chance by blazing over from six yards. His reaction, head in hands, said it all - and it set the tone for the rest of the second half.
It was David Rowson's turn to miss from close in after being set up by Marc Twaddle.
United could breathe again - not that the result was relevant for Ward's men who will just be glad to be kicking a ball again as they build up to the new season.
PARTICK THISTLE: Tuffey, Paton (McKinlay, 46), Twaddle, Storey, Robertson, Maxwell, Chaplain, Rowson, Donnelly (Eaglesham, 70), Roberts, Harkins (Aradlany, 83), subs (not used): Hinchcliffe, Kinniburgh and Little.
CARLISLE UNITED: Williams, Raven Livesey (Gowling, 46), Murphy (Wordsworth, 76), Horwood, Bridge-Wilkinson (J Smith, 46), Thirlwell (Gall, 60), G Smith (Lumsdon, 46, Tinnion, 73), Taylor (Joyce, 46), Hackney (Madine, 46), Dobie (Carlton, 46), subs (not used): Vipond and Howarth.
Referee: C Boyle (Scotland)
Crowd: 1,245
property
motors
jobs
date