Spartans WFC v Partick Thistle WFC – 28th August 2022

Partick Thistle Women’s FC travelled to Ainslie Park in Edinburgh for their fourth game of the SWPL1 season as they closed out August against Spartans.

The Jags went into the game off the back of their first point of the new campaign away at Aberdeen the previous week while their hosts were looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Celtic.

Brian Graham made two changes to the side which started against Aberdeen with Kaitlyn Canavan replacing Amy Bulloch and new signing Charlotte Terry coming in for Beth McKay.

The game sparked into life immediately with Thistle putting pressure on the Spartans defence within the first minute. Rachel Donaldson was fed the ball in space on the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the middle. The cross wasn’t properly cleared and fell towards Jordan McLintock, however, the number 11’s attempted shot was smothered and the danger was seen off.

Donaldson was involved again in the fifth minute as she was the beneficiary of a poor clearance towards the edge of the box from Cara Henderson’s cross. The winger ran onto the ball, attempting a first-time strike which flew well over the bar.

At the other end, Spartans offered their first threat of the game as a Rebecca Galbraith delivery from wide on the right almost found Mya Bates in the box. Megan Cunningham was alert to the danger though and was able to punch the ball away from the former Glasgow City player’s head.

Galbraith was again the creator as Spartans created the best chance of the game so far with about 25 minutes gone. The home side’s number 18 forced her way past a couple of Thistle challenges at the side of the box before teeing up Mya Bates. The winger’s first effort was blocked but it fell right back to her and at the second attempt her shot seemed net-bound. There to thwart her though was Cara Henderson who made a brave goalline clearance before the follow-up was lifted over the bar.

One of the biggest flashpoints of the first half came with under 10 minutes of the first half to go when Thistle were awarded an indirect free-kick in the Spartans box. The set piece was laid off for Linzi Taylor whose shot was blocked by a defender and the away side were adamant that an arm was used to stop the ball but nothing was given.

As the second half got underway, both sides were looking to find a breakthrough and Thistle looked the more likely for a spell. A well-worked corner routine got McLintock some space in the box but her shot soared over the target and then not long after she had a shot from distance which never really had the power to trouble the goalkeeper.

Then, with the game heading towards the full-time whistle, Thistle had their best opening of the afternoon. Amy Bulloch swung a left-footed pass into Rachel Donaldson who was clean through in the Spartans box. The winger took the shot on first time but couldn’t keep her effort down as a big chance went begging for the visitors.

Shortly thereafter there was a huge chance for the home side as Rosie McQuillan played Hannah Jordan in on goal with a well-timed pass. The substitute had plenty of time to pick a spot but shot over the bar like Donaldson before her.

Neither team ever gave up on getting the win but eventually time ran out and the referee blew the final whistle with both teams feeling they’d created enough to win the match.

Now, with two points to their name, the Jags have a weekend without a game before taking on Motherwell at Petershill Park in a fortnight’s time.