A minute's silence took place by all players, officials and fans before the match to remember those who dies in the horrendous accident in Glasgow earlier this week.
The Dons' mood was not dampened however and they started the game in a frenzy. Partick who had already conceded seven goals to Aberdeen this season looked to be rocky at the back and that proved to be crucial as Considine opened the scoring after only four minutes. A magnificent whipped corner by Barry Robson - who was making his first start since the opening game of the season - presented Considine with the chance to head home from six yards. He made no mistake and gave the large travelling support a goal to cheer so early on.
Aberdeen then looked to press home their advantage and compound Thistle's misery. Peter Pawlett who looked to be in the mood attempted a speculative volley from around about 30 yards, it dipped and swerved and looked to be heading into the top corner. But Scott Fox proved why he has been called up to the Scotland squad and just in time got a good strong hand to the ball to push it away from danger. What a goal that would have been. Another good save from Fox followed, the ball fell to Jack just outside the box who decided to have a pop at goal. The effort took a major deflection and as the ball seemed to be dribbling in, the Thistle keeper readjusted his body weight and dived on the ball. Once again some fine goalkeeping.
It was all Aberdeen and Partick Thistle looked like they were missing their suspended players Aaron Muirhead and Stuart Bannigan as they were making absolutely no inroads into the Dons defence. A slack pass from Craigen out wide allowed Wylde to pounce upon the ball and use his blistering pace to bare down on goal. Out rushed Fox though tightening the angle and the Aberdeen winger sliced the shot sending it harmlessy out and over the bar. Set pieces were an achiles heel for Thistle all afternoon and Zola looked to confirm that from a well worked McGinn corner, but his header went just inches over the bar. Thistle were huffing and puffing and just before the break managed to muster an effort on goal. Higginbotham burst through the Aberdeen defence but could only drag his shot wide. Anderson will have felt he could have dealt with the situation better after just letting the Thistle man drift right past him.
The second half certainly did not contain the drama and excitement of a cup tie. The game descended into a midfield scrap with either team failing to get the ball on the deck and spray the ball about, surprising as it has been something these teams have been doing all season. Jamie Langfield managed to make his first save of the afternoon on 79 minutes as he pushed away Higginbotham's 20 yard curling effort.
The only chance of any real note for Aberdeen in the second period came in injury time. McGinn broke away from the Thistle defence and fired in a strike on goal which crashed against the post. The rebound almost fell to Jack but he could not turn the ball into the net.
Not the best of performances by Aberdeen this afternoon but we got the win. That's what you need in cup football, grit and determination and that is exactly what Aberdeen showed to once again keep a clean sheet and get back to winning ways. The most important fact of the afternoon is we are in the next round of the William Hill Scottish Cup!
FT: Partick Thistle 0-1 Aberdeen
Partick Thistle
- 01 Fox
- 19 Osbourne
- 03 Taylor-Sinclair
- 10 Forbes (Lawless - 76' )
- 06 Balatoni
- 13 Gabriel
- 14 Elliott
- 20 Kerr (Welsh - 62' )
- 09 Doolan (Baird - 80' )
- 07 Craigen
- 23 Higginbotham
Substitutes
- 04 Welsh
- 11 Lawless
- 12 Gallacher
- 17 Baird
- 21 Mukendi
- 31 Wilson
- 34 Meechan
Aberdeen
- 01 Langfield
- 27 Hector
- 06 Reynolds
- 22 Jack
- 04 Anderson
- 05 Considine
- 10 McGinn
- 16 Pawlett (Vernon - 86' )
- 07 Zola (Magennis - 61' )
- 15 Robson
- 17 Wylde (Smith - 61' )
Substitutes
- 02 Shaughnessy
- 09 Vernon
- 14 Smith
- 18 Low
- 20 Weaver
- 21 Magennis
- 35 Murray
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