The Hoops made the best possible start to the league campaign with a five goal rout of last season’s runners up and many people’s tip to again be the closest challengers to champions Banks O’Dee. Thistle had 5 ex Dycer’s in their starting line up which made for a tasty encounter. The IMP pitch was slippy after the rain and a second half downpour just added to that but the lads adapted well and ran out worthy winners.

The visitors had plenty early possession but were lacking a cutting edge, their first chance being when ex hoop Napier headed over. At the other end a good build up ended with Ads cutting the ball back to Mark B but Clark made an excellent save to deny him. The resultant corner was headed back across goal and Tom Hutch nodded narrowly wide. Midway through the half though we did grab the lead, albeit with a scrappy goal. A corner was floated in and when Clark couldn’t collect it the ball fell at the feet of MACKIE and he bundled it home from just a few yards out. From then until half time neither keeper was really troubled but Thistle should have levelled seconds before the break when Rennie’s cross found another former blue and white in Gordon but he headed over from 6 yards when it looked easier to score.

Into the second half and Kyle was forced into his first save when Napier tried his luck with a 25 yard free kick but the young keeper got across well to tip it away. Baillie tried the same at the other end but it went a bit wrong. However just after the hour mark goal number two arrived. Tom Hutch intercepted a clearance and a couple of quick passes released BAILLIE and he advanced to slot the ball past Clark. The visitors were almost given an immediate lifeline when Rennie’s far post cross came off the foot of new signing Blair and rebounded off his own post before clearing. Minutes later a good slick move ended with the ball being laid into the path of Rennie and he chested the ball down and thumped in a volley on the run which Kyle did well to turn round the post. With 68 mins on the clock Thistle’s task became tougher when another former IMP man Jaffa picked up his second yellow of the game for a tackle on the byline and saw red. A minute later Mark B had the ball in the net but the flag was up to cut short any celebrations then sub Jason looked certain to net number three but a tremendous last ditch tackle from Kinghorn prevented him. However with 75 played number three did arrive when BAILLIE did well to turn Kinghorn and fire the ball into the far corner. The same player almost grabbed his third but Clark got down well to save, but in the 79th minute he wouldn’t be denied. Another through ball saw BAILLIE race clear again and he rounded Clark to slide home number four. A number of other late chances were created to add to the tally and finally in the 90th minute number five arrived when Mackie dispossessed a Thistle defender in the box and squared the ball to ADS for a simple tap in to round off the scoring.