Partick took the lead within four minutes as Ross Forbes’s out-swinging corner to the penalty spot was met by Conrad Balatoni who out-jumped Kieran Duffie to power in a header despite the presence of Stephen Kingsley on the Falkirk goal line.

Falkirk took fourteen minutes to create their impression on the game when Blair Alston drew a close save from the onrushing Scott Fox.

Chris Erskine was presented with his first chance at goal after seventeen minutes but missed when it was easier to score. Erskine blazed high and wide of the Falkirk goal from twelve yards, wasting Steven Craig’s neat lay off with his chest. The visitors grabbed an equalizer a minute later after a dubious decision from referee John Beaton not to award Partick a free kick for what looked like a bad challenge from Falkirk’s Jay Fulton on Christ Erskine just inside the Falkirk half.

Alston charged through the middle to the edge of the Jag’s penalty area, finding Thomas Grant arriving unmarked to his right. Thomas cut the ball back across goal immediately finding Lyle Taylor who had checked his run to give himself space. The athletic striker made no mistake with the right foot shot into the far corner. 1-1.

But the Jags hit back immediately when Erskine made up for his earlier miss with a glancing header past McGovern into the bottom right hand corner of the net, Steven Lawless the provider. 2-1 on twenty minutes.

Lawless’s game ended soon after he made his assist as he clashed heads with McGovern on the edge of the Falkirk area as the keeper rushed out to clear a long clearance from his opposite number. The injury was later revealed by Thistle boss McNamara to be a broken cheekbone.

Partick saw out the remainder of the first half comfortably with a few chances, the best of which came when Lawless’s replacement Sean Welsh headed narrowly wide from an excellent delivery from Ross Forbes on the left channel.

The first real chance of the second half came from the visitors when Fulton split the Partick defence in two with a forty yard diagonal pass from deep releasing right-back Kieran Duffie whose movement evaded Partick’s Aaron Sinclair.

Duffie drilled the ball across the face of the goal leaving Lyle Taylor to apply the faintest of finishing touches but the striker miskicked and stumbled over the ball to the delight of the home crowd, and the anguish of his manager Steven Pressley.

For a fifteen-minute period at the start of the second half Falkirk looked like they might gain something against a side which had only picked up two points from their previous four games.

But on the hour mark Balatoni’s second of the game all but killed off Falkirk. Balatoni pounced on a series of failed attempts by Falkirk to remove the danger from a Ross Forbes corner. The defender drove a left foot volley through a body of players in the six-yard box low into the right hand side of McGovern’s net to make it 3-1 to the Jags.

Two minutes later Erskine claimed his brace, and Partick’s fourth, with a goal of supreme class and audacity. As he drove through the centre to the Falkirk box he skipped past two Falkirk’s defenders, dragging the ball inside Duffie onto his favoured left foot before executing a delicate chip over McGovern. The goal that sealed Partick’s domination of the game couldn’t have been more fitting.

Partick continued to create chances throughout the remainder of the game especially through the flamboyant Ross Forbes who had a stunning game on the left wing even if he would not grab the headlines.
Partick cruised to the final whistle at 4-1 reminding their home crowd of the performances that had made them invincible at Firhill before Christmas.

One other talking point from the game is that ref John Beaton kept his cards in his pockets despite a number of nasty looking challenges.

#WAFA Man of the Match – Conrad Balatoni: The young centre back was brilliant at both ends of the pitch adding two to his goal tally this season by scoring Partick’s opener and all important third which manager Jackie McNamara claimed was ‘crucial’ after the game. With one exception, he marked Lyle Taylor out of the game limiting Falkirk’s goal scoring threat.

Partick: Fox, Paton, Balatoni, Archibald, Sinclair, Murray (Craigen 63), Forbes, Bannigan, Lawless (Welsh 25), Craig (Doolan 78),Erskine.

Subs Not Used: Daniels, McGuigan.

Goals: Balatoni 4, Erskine 20, Balatoni 62, Erskine 64.

Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie, McGeever, Dodds, Kingsley, Murdoch, McGrandles, Grant (Higgins 66), Alston, Jay Fulton, Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Bowman, Dick, Dale Fulton, Small.

Goals: Taylor 18.

Att: 3,280

Ref: John Beaton

Alan Mahon

Accies ‘keeper Kevin Cuthbert produced a great performance, and a number of saves, to keep Partick out at Douglas Park on Tuesday night. His fortunes took a turn for the worse at Firhill, though, culminating in him dallying over a Lee Kilday back pass for too long, giving Steven Craig time to close him down, then smashing his attempted clearance into the striker and watching forlornly as it bounced into the net.

Cuthbert was booked after conceding the second goal. The ‘keeper felt he was fouled as he went to claim a corner, and the subsequent head-tennis ended with Craig bundling the ball home for the first of his two goals on debut. When referee Stevie McLean signalled the goal instead of a free kick Cuthbert exploded, and saw yellow for decent.

Thistle ‘keeper Scott Fox had sympathy with his opposite number, especially for the fourth goal: “It’s one of them ones: nine out of ten times it hits someone and goes wide. Kevin’s been unlucky. On Tuesday he was probably their man of the match then today was a bad one for him.”

Fox was busy in the first half, making several smart saves to keep the score level, then pushing a Alister Crawford shot over the bar just before half time to preserve the Jags’ lead. In the second half his only contribution was as the victim of a late tackle from Steven May.

With the form Thistle are in, four wins in four in the league and playing attacking, free-flowing football, Fox has found himself a spectator at times this season. He says being able to stay concentrated is something he’s been working on: “Craig Hinchcliffe, the goalie coach here, is on at me all the time: that’s my job. I’m not going to be involved in lots of games but when I am I need to produce. I’ll have a save here or there but we usually dominate games.”

Excluding 90 mad minutes of Cup football at Hampden, Thistle have only conceded two goals in seven games this season. The Jags’ front men have been receiving plenty of attention as the goals continue to fly in, but Fox is equally proud of the team’s form at the back: “We’ve got one of the best defensive records in Scotland at the minute, and I hope it continues.”

For all their attractive passing and position-switching movement, Thistle struggled to create chances against Hamilton and there was an element of luck in three of their four goals. As well as the two Cuthbert would rather forget, the Accies helped present the Jags with their opener.

An in-swinging Steven Lawless corner was headed towards his own goal by Jon McShane, and Cuthbert was at full stretch to tip the ball on to the bar. Unfortunately for Cuthbert the ball fell into the path of Sean Welsh, who flung himself forwards and knocked the ball into an open goal.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid was understandably frustrated: “For the first 30 minutes I thought we were the better side. We were moving the ball a lot sharper than them. It was our player put the ball on to our own crossbar and the boy’s tapped it in: that was a sore one because I thought at half time there wasn’t much in the game at all but we were 1-0 behind.”

Thistle’s below-par first half was acknowledged by manager Jackie McNamara: “I was pleased to go in 1-0 at half time: I don’t think we passed the ball well in the first half at all. We played better in the first half on Tuesday night but came up against their keeper.”

As well as the fortunate goal, Steven Lawless’ continued form provided a silver-lining for the Jags in the opening half. Happy to drop deep to collect the ball, or swap flanks with Chris Erskine to keep the opposition defenders guessing, Lawless has a great eye for a pass and looks surprisingly strong for such a diminutive player when he’s got his back to goal.

Lawless’ goal, Thistle’s only from open play, was his third of the season. Erskine flicked on a cross from the right, and Lawless found himself unmarked in the box. Although he had time for a sit-down and a cup of tea, let alone to take a touch, Lawless didn’t hesitate and calmly volleyed into the bottom-left corner.

Jags fans are thoroughly enjoying the club’s winning run. Chants of “we always score three” rang around Firhill before Cuthbert and Craig conspired to prove them wrong in slap-stick fashion. The elated crowd immediately responded with: “We want five.”

Thistle’s early-season form and style has  installed the Jags as the aesthete’s team of choice in SFL1. It remains to be seen what the ravages of the Scottish weather do to the Firhill pitch, but now the Warriors have moved across the West End to Scotstoun it should hold up better than in previous years.

But whilst the quagmire pitches and cancelled fixtures that the SFL now seems to serve up every winter may do for Thistle’s swashbuckling style, if Fox and his back four can keep their form going the Jags’ defensive record is in safe hands.

by David Lyons

This season, he finally became the number one choice, taking over from Mark Brown, but a torn thigh muscle sustained in the semi-final against Aberdeen ended his Easter Road career and meant that he missed the Cup Final defeat last Saturday.

The former Arsenal player was a popular figure around the club and messaged his disappointment to fans via Facebook saying: “After 3 seasons at Hibernian I’m sad and gutted to have played my last game. It’s a Club that me and my Family have loved from day one and a City that’s became our home. Fans I’ve met along the way have been brilliant and will not be forgotten

“Those who have stuck by me through my injuries and picked me up when things on the pitch were bad i can’t thank you enough. It’s been a mixed journey of ups and downs, finishing 4th in my first season and getting into Europe was a real high as well reaching the Scottish Cup final more recently and saving a penalty in the Derby at Easter Rd.

“My biggest regret is to have not won any Silverware and missing so much football in my second season. I’d like to think having played 35 games this season I’ve shown people i can stay fit and played my part in keeping us up. I’ve now got to move on with my life and career and have no idea where it will go but one thing is for sure i can leave knowing whenever I’ve put the Hibs strip on I’ve given nothing less than everything to perform at my best and win every game!

“ I know everyone is still hurting after the weekend but i firmly believe it is a ”Great Club” and changes do need to be made but in years to come it will achieve a top 3 finish and will win The Scottish Cup and no one deserves it more than the supporters!! Thanks for everything STACKY and FAMILY X X X”

Stack’s exit was confirmed 24 hours after Hibs released club captain Ian Murray and young players Scott Taggart and Sean Welsh.

Garry O’Connor who is also out of contract has confirmed that he will not be signing an extension, whilst loan players George Francombe, Matt Doherty, Roy O’Donovan, Tom Soares, Richie Towell, Leigh Griffiths and James McPake have all returned to their parent clubs.

Fenlon has indicated that he may be talking to some of their clubs when the players concerned return from holidays, and the supporters are desperate to for the club to sign James McPake from relegated Coventry. The influential centre half was called up by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neil for the forthcoming friendly against Holland. McPake qualifies for Northern Ireland through his Antrim born grandfather on his mother’s side.

Former Bohemians defender and Dublin native Matt Doherty confirmed that there is ‘no chance’ of him being at Easter Road next season in an interview after the final.

Manager Pat Fenlon has been unhappy about the discipline amongst certain players and Scott was recently suspended for seven days following his failure to turn up for training after the victory against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup.

Fenlon had decided that all members of the squad who had not featured in the cup game should report for training the following day. A message was went by text to the players concerned, however Scott claimed to have changed his mobile number and therefore did not received the message. He was adamant that he was not to blame; however, Fenlon did not accept his explanation and fined the former Ross County star the maximum two weeks wages.

The Livingston born midfielder has rarely featured in the first team following an altercation with team mate Sean Welsh during pre-season training, which resulted in the youngster receiving a fractured cheekbone.

He cost a reported £80k from Ross County and is under contract until 2014. Former Hibs assistant manager Derek Adams is likely to be interested in the player who scored winning goals against Hibs and Celtic in the club’s glorious Scottish Cup run two years ago when they reached the final. County currently sit on top of the First Division and are clear favourites for promotion.

Meanwhile the team are preparing for Sunday’s crunch game against Terry Butcher’s Inverness who defeated Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Saturday before losing at home to St Johnstone in midweek.

On loan Norwich right back George Francomb recognises the importance of the game which will be played 24 hours after fellow strugglers Dunfermline face on-form Dundee United. He told The Scotsman: “I suppose it would be good to see Dunfermline’s result but at the end of the day we have to win on Sunday. We shouldn’t need any greater incentive than the three points from our match. First and foremost, we want to pull ourselves away from Dunfermline.

“If we can beat Inverness and Dunfermline fail to pick up points then we’ll have stretched the gap at the bottom a bit and closed in a little on Caley with another game to come against them in a few weeks’ time.”

Francomb accepts the criticism that followed last week’s encounter, but is keen to remind supporters of the quality of their opponents.

He said: “I think some people perhaps forgot that United are the form team in the SPL at the moment, they are on a great run and had just beaten Rangers.

“But that’s what happens when you are a football player. You have to take the criticism when you are losing. We’d put together three matches unbeaten before the Hearts game when everyone loved us then all of a sudden everyone is criticising us. You just have to take it on the chin and work harder for good results.

“We had quite a lot of possession in the first half, we kept the ball and were able to play high up the pitch but we didn’t keep it in the second half and when that happens, you find yourself penned in, as we were.”

Earlier this season Hibs recorded their first ever victory in Inverness thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O’Connor. A repeat of that result would ease a few worries around Easter Road. Skipper James McPake, Ian Murray and Danny Galbraith have all resumed full training following injuries, and the on-loan Coventry City defender is expected to start this weekend.

While the club and the former Bohemians boss were quick to play down Tuesday’s headbutt incident, describing it as ‘typical training ground stuff’, rumours persist that all is not well at Easter Road.

Although yesterday’s reports were exaggerated, it has emerged that Griffiths and Fenlon did get involved in a heated argument after the manager cut a training game short and that led to the player being ordered back to the dressing room.

The on loan Wolves striker removed his training top and bib and threw it at the manager, hitting him in the face. A number of players then had to separate Fenlon and Liam O’Brien from Griffiths, who stormed off to the dressing rooms followed by Assistant Manager Billy Brown. Another heated exchange took place and Brown was pushed by Griffiths, before his team mates intervened.

Fenlon had made it clear that Griffiths remains in his plans for Saturday’s game against Dundee United, but it has now emerged that midfield hard man Martin ‘Jimmy’ Scott had been suspended for seven days following his failure to turn up for training after the victory against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup.

Fenlon had decided that all members of the squad who had not featured in the cup game should report for training the following day. A message was went by text to the players concerned, however Scott claimed to have changed his mobile number and therefore did not receive the message. He was adamant that he was not to blame, however, Fenlon did not accept his explanation and fined the former Ross County star the maximum two weeks wages and caused him to miss Sunday’s derby.

The midfielder has rarely featured in the first team following his altercation with team mate Sean Welsh during pre-season training, which resulted in the youngster receiving a fractured cheekbone.

News of the behind the scenes problems come days before Hibs play on form Dundee United who are unbeaten in their last seven games, at Easter Road in a vital match in their fight against relegation. Fenlon has described Saturday’s encounter as more important than the upcoming semi-final against Aberdeen.

He said: “When we have had a defeat over the last while we have responded quite well and we will be looking for that again, for people to be hurting and smarting. They have taken a little bit of criticism over the week and the way to get over that is by winning football matches.

“Everyone was patting us on the back for getting to the semi-final; this week everyone wants to give us a kick up the rear. That’s football. You cannot take all the praise and criticism to heart, you need a balance.

“You need to understand people will have a dig when it’s not going well and will be all over you when it is, so it’s all how they react and they have to react positively.

“Outside Celtic, United are the ones who have been on a fantastic run. I have seen a fair bit of them, I saw them beat Inverness 3-0 which was perhaps harsh on Caley but they have some decent players and a confidence about them.

“We are scrapping for everything. Everything depends on staying in this league: livelihoods, people’s ambitions all depend on us being in the SPL. We have a semi-final coming up, but this is a bigger game than that.”

Former Hearts boss Jim Jeffries will take charge of fellow relegation strugglers Dunfermline for the first time on Saturday, against a St Mirren side who have not won since Christmas.

Several Scottish newspapers reported that Griffiths had taken exception to comments made by Fenlon after a stormy training session following Hibs latest derby day defeat by Edinburgh rivals Hearts. Griffiths was reported to have headbutted Fenlon then punched assistant manager Billy Brown who had interjected, before storming off.

Speculation was rife that he had played his last game for the club and was en route back to Wolverhampton, but Fenlon played down the incident, and told the club’s official website that it had been “typical training ground stuff”, adding “I’m surprised at the rubbish in the press.”

Fenlon said: “As is usual for high-tempo training sessions, involving committed players and coaching staff, robust views and opinions are shared and yesterday’s session was no different.

“Leigh is a quality striker and a lively personality and will remain a key part of my team for the rest of the season.

“There’s nothing at all in the story. We just want to focus on winning games and getting up the table.”

A statement on the club’s website states: Hibernian has moved to address erroneous press reports regarding an alleged incident involving Leigh Griffiths at Hibernians Training Centre yesterday.

Contrary to a report in today’s Daily Mail, Leigh Griffiths did not headbutt Manager Pat Fenlon nor punch Assistant Manager Billy Brown. The striker will be in the squad for Saturday’s crucial SPL fixture against Dundee United.

The Scotland under 21 international has been no stranger to controversy since his arrival at his boyhood club. Last December he received a ban following a gesture at Rangers fans during Hibs’ 2-0 defeat, then the following month he repeated the gesture to Hibs fans during the Scottish Cup win at Cowdenbeath. Two weeks later, Griffiths received another two-match suspension for a one-finger salute at a Hibs fan who had been shouting abuse from the Famous Five stand during Hibs’ 3-2 defeat by St Johnstone.

The Hibs board are concerned about the reputation of the club and are likely to take  such behaviour seriously. During pre-season, midfielder Martin ‘Jimmy’ Scott was disciplined by the club following a training ground bust up with Sean Welsh who suffered a fractured cheekbone.

Meanwhile fellow relegation candidates Dunfermline have announced that former Hearts manager Jim Jeffries will take charge at East End Park on a 15 month rolling contract. The Fife outfit currently sit four points behind Hibs with eight games to play.

Hibs players have taken to Twitter to give their version of accounts.

Captain @JamesMcPake tweeted “Have to laugh at the story that came out about our training yesterday! Not 1 part of it was true or near the truth!! Especially liked the part that Leigh sped off from the training centre with all the stuff from his locker? Sped away…He doesn`t drive! ”

@francomb_28 tweeted “Dont know where that story came from today but it was so far from the truth you have to laugh really #embarrassing.”

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