Relichtie
Memorable
matches
Season 1962-63 Scottish Cup 2nd Round
When the draw paired Partick Thistle of the 1st division, at home to Arbroath of the 2nd division, few would have predicted the marathon struggle which would result.
History, however would have to wait, as one of the harshest winters on record would ensure that while some ties were played on the designated day of January 26, it would be March before this tie would begin.
Monday March 4 1963 Partick Thistle 1-1 Arbroath.
After a long trip to Ayr two days previously ( a 5-3 win ), Arbroath travelled to Glasgow to face Thistle. As a nine year old, I couldn't attend, but the match report said that a superb defensive display by the visitors kept the scoreline blank at half- time.
Both teams would play with ten men in the second half, as Gillespie of Arbroath, and Harvey of Thistle were sent off a minute before the break. In 70 mins a Cunningham shot from 25 yds was parried by Thomson only to Fleming who netted to put Thistle ahead. The visitors equalised when Murray collected a long ball from Kennedy, skipped round Hogan and cleverly chipped Niven from an acute angle.
Teams- THISTLE, Niven, Hogan, Brown, McParland, Harvey, Cunningham, Cowan, Whitelaw, Hainey, Duffy,Fleming.
ARBROATH, Thomson, Cameron, Hughes, Robertson, Fraser, Kennedy, Tulloch, Easson, Gillespie, Murray, Matthews.
Attendance 6500.
Replay
Wednesday March 13 1963 Arbroath 2-2 Partick Thistle.
Despite the urgency to get this tie settled, league football continued ( a 4-4 draw with Stirling Albion the previous Saturday ), the replay kicked off at 4pm and it was the homesters who struck first when following a period of sustained pressure, Murray crossed to Tulloch, who shot home from 16 yds in 28 mins. The Jags equalised when Fraser was adjudged to have fouled Cowan in the box, and despite home protests, Brown converted the penalty.
A minute after the restart, the visitors went ahead when Fleming outjumped the home defence to nod in a high awkward ball from McParland. Arbroath equalised when Murray dispossessed Hogan and crossed quickly for Gillespie to hammer the ball past Niven.
Despite a spirited extra 30 mins no more goals were scored.
Teams- ARBROATH, as first match.
THISTLE , Niven, Hogan, Brown, Sloss, Harvey, Cunningham, Cowan, McParland, Smith, Duffy, Fleming.
Attendance 4000.
2nd Replay
Thursday March 14 1963 Arbroath 2-3 Partick Thistle.
After getting off school the previous day for the first replay, I talked my dad into getting me off early the following day ( dentist I think ) to view the second replay.
Once again Arbroath went ahead, when Matthews scored in 5 mins. A sense of deja vu went round Gayfield, when Cowan was challenged by Hughes and tumbled over the full backs outstretched leg, and the referee, despite being almost swamped by Arbroath players, once again awarded a penalty, and Brown again obliged. On 41 mins, Murray put the Maroons in front once more from a Tulloch corner.
The Jags again levelled the tie, when Duffy scored on 61 mins after a goalmouth scramble. Easson then hit the post for the Lichties, before the tie was finally settled when Smith took advantage of a slip by Fraser which allowed him to race away and score.
Teams- ARBROATH, Thomson, Cameron, Hughes, Robertson, Fraser, Kennedy, Tulloch, Easson, Soutar, Murray, Matthews.
THISTLE, Niven, Hogan, Brown, McParland, Harvey, Cunningham, Cowan, Whitelaw, Smith, Duffy, Gourlay.
Referee for all 3 matches J M Kelly ( Motherwell )
Attendance 2591.
This wasn't the first match I'd attended at Gayfield, but it's the first one that sticks in my memory.
Players in those far back days didn't receive automatic suspensions like today, so both Gillespie, and Harvey were both available for both replays, and both received 7 day suspensions later in March.
Jim Fraser, who had been a transfer target for Clyde finally signed for them in April for a fee of between £3000 and £4000, while Norrie Gillespie signed for Falkirk for £2000 in April.