International
Friendlies
06/30/2007 Partick
Thistle 3 Celtic Supporters 1.
The bhoys from Glasgow were back in town for their annual convention
and once again they challenged Thistle for a pick up game. If it
wasn't hot enough for them last year when we had a 1.00pm kick off,
they pushed it forward a couple of hours to 3.00pm when it was 110.
Once again Jim Mackay had the press gang working as he rounded up
recruits from around the pool as the pale blue bhoys were recovering
from their nightly hangovers. The game started at 3.30pm and the
rest of the supporters were hanging out in what ever shade was
available. Thistle donated a few players to even up the sides in the
way of substitutes. Thistle got their attack going and after a
couple of chances, Aaron Pottorff latched onto a loose ball to slam
it into the net. Thistle controlled the midfield and were passing
the ball well. Next to score was Mick who scored in similar fashion
to the first. Celtic had a few chances as John Tarver created a
couple of chances. It was Thistle though who counter attacked as Mun
broke free and slotted the ball past the Celtic keeper. Half time
3-0. A few changes at the half and a little rearranging to even up
the game saw the second half a much more even contest. Both sides
creating chances but the finishing touches were not there. One of
those embarrassing moments in football happen as Phil Holliday found
himself wide open as he ran onto to a through pass and beat the
offside trap. He found himself wide open with only the keeper to
beat. Unfortunately it was as though someone shot him with a sniper
rifle as he tumbled to the floor in a heap. Celtic did manage to get
a consolation goal to make the game respectable. Final score 3-1.
Another fun afternoon in the Vegas sun. Thanks again to the Celtic
Supporters for the game. I know by the end of the game they were
dying to get back to the hotel pool and suck down some beers.

05/19/2006 Partick
Thistle 3 Everton/Liverpool Supporters 3
The boys from Merseyside were out in full force today, no less than
24 of them here in Las Vegas for an international friendly. Thistle
opened the scoring with an early goal scored by George Varhelyi and
piled on some pressure and it took the Mersey boys ten minutes to
find their feet and get used to the heat. The game became very
evenly matched in the last 30 minutes of the first half with the
Liverpudlians equalizing with a quick break-away.
At half-time everyone refueled and slathered on the sunscreen
against the desert heat... Thistle took the lead in the second half
again (I think...maybe heat-stroke is kicking in...!) and the
Merseysiders quickly equalized.
Both teams were melting in the heat but they struggled on. Thistle
created several chances but the Merseyside goalie was up to the task
and pulled off some great saves. Eventually PTFC broke through and
scored a third goal, quickly followed by a Liverpudlian equalizer.
The game finished 3-3 which, on the whole, was a fair result.
Everyone had a good time and we will hopefully see you boys back
again next year for a re-match.


To view more photos of the Thistle/ Celtic 2005
weekend click on thumbnails below.
June 18th 2005
Partick Thistle 4 Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club 5. Celtic started
their pre game warm ups at the Riviera Hotel & Casino where
thousands of pale blue Scotsman were wallowing around the pool.
After a recruiting session that resembled something like the press
gangs of old, they managed to organize a team. After dropping a few
names around notably Tommy Boyd of Celtic, Chelsea and of course
Scotland they managed to pull out a pretty decent team. Partick
Thistle came out in force and brought out all there squad for the
occasion. On a hot day like it was you need as many subs as
possible. The game got underway and it was Thistle who looked as
though they were going to control the early going. Celtic had
organized a six man defense that centered around Scotland
International Tommy Boyd. Thistle squandered a couple of early
chances. As the game progressed Celtic with some good midfield play
from ex Manchester City and Stoke player John Tarver, found the
Thistle goal keeper flapping around for the Celtic forward to walk
the ball into the net. The first half ended what was turning out to
be a good game of football. The second half started with Thistle
once again pressing forward. But, with another counter attack and
yet another keeper error it was Celtic who took a 2-0 lead. Thistle
had to put their game faces on as this was looking embarrassing. It
didn't take long as Thistle tested the Celtic keeper for the first
time and it was Josh Montgomery who got Thistle's first. That gave
Thistle confidence and they pushed forward. George Varhelyi was
causing problems with his pace and eventually scored the equalizer.
With the wind at Thistle's back the game started to open up and
Thistle took advantage as the heat started to effect the Celtic
players. Another goal for Thistle and a fourth should have followed
but was called offside. Billy Smith decided to loan out a few of our
players to help out as the game was starting to go one sided. The
fresh legs on the Celtic side came at the right time as Celtic split
the defense and lobbed the ball over the Thistle keeper to tie it up
at 3-3. Thistle struck right back with a 25 yard rocket to make it
4-3. It was Celtic though who didn't give up and after a midfield
collision involving the Thistle defender and Phil Holliday who
introduced what is commonly known as the Glasgow Kiss, Celtic broke
clear for the equalizer. At 4-4 time was expiring and it looked as
though a draw was going to be a fair result. Players were looking
over to referee John Kennedy to blow is whistle but it seemed as
though he added an extra 5 minutes of added time. It was enough time
though for Celtic to take advantage of a back pass to the keeper who
was wrong footed for the Celtic forward to poach the ball and round
the keeper for the game winner. Final score 5-4. A lot of fun was
had by all and it was off to the Tilted Kilt to summarize the game
and down a few beers.

Sept 2004 Partick Thistle 5 Oxford
United Supporters Club 5
We managed to organize this game on Thursday
15th April with the guys from Oxford who were here for a stag do.
The game started at its usual frantic pace!
It was easy to identify both teams - apart from their soccer
strips, the boys from Oxford were dazzling white!!!! Oxford scored
within the first minute and stunned the crowd but Thistle quickly
got their act together and scored 4 to be leading 4-1 at
half-time.
With liberal doses of Deep Heat and Sunscreen
Factor 45, the game recommenced after half-time with Oxford taking
the initiative and storming back into the game. Oxford dragged
themselves back into the game and eventually led 5-4 with ten
minutes to go, but Thistle managed to rally and pulled back an
equalizer just before the whistle - final score 5-5 and everyone
was happy.
Thanks to the lads for the game, let us know
when the next one's getting married and we can organize another
game!
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