ONE down, one to go.
The opening fortnight of the Irn-Bru First Division has presented Partick Thistle with the chance to set down a marker of their intentions in this season's title race, with fixtures against two of their likely rivals for the title an opportunity to gain a psychological edge early on.
The visit of Falkirk on Saturday went according to plan – Steven Lawless and Kris Doolan scoring in a 3-1 win – and the sights are now set on East End Park this weekend as they prepare to face a Dunfermline Athletic side eager for an immediate return to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Optimism has grown around Firhill that Thistle could beat them to it this year, with Jackie McNamara's side getting off to the perfect start on Saturday.
"I don't think there is anything to fear in the first division," said Doolan, who scored twice against Falkirk.
"There are a lot of good teams. Falkirk will be one, and the likes of Dunfermline. If we keep putting in performances like that all the way through and keep the levels of consistency there is no reason why we can't be up there.
"Dunfermline have come down from the Premier League and will be looking to get back up there. Falkirk are always a good, young team and a good passing team. We have quietly gone about our business. We have definitely got the players here than can make a push."
There was certainly enough to Thistle to engineer a two-goal lead at the weekend, with Lawless and Doolan scoring inside seven minutes. Lyle Taylor marked his league debut with a goal for Falkirk but Doolan was to have the final say.
"Thistle obviously made a great start but that aside I didn't think there was much in the game," said Steven Pressley, the Falkirk manager. "The pleasing thing for me was that we didn't fold after losing those two early goals. We just made the wrong decision at three crucial stages."
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