Hearts WFC v Partick Thistle WFC – 28th April 2026

Four days on from a spirited performance under the Firhill lights, Partick Thistle were back on the road as they made the trip to the Oriam to face Hearts.

The evenings opposition entered the match perched top of the SWPL1 standings, taking full advantage of a dip on form from their challengers that saw them open a two point gap to Glasgow City, and double that to Rangers. Following defeat to the current league champions in the most recent Edinburgh derby, Eva Olid’s side flipped their fortunes on their head, claiming 3 straight wins over the other top 6 sides before they faced Thistle.

For the Jags, it was a case of continuing to build on the positive performances displayed in recent weeks. With close run ins to either side of the old firm before sharing the spoils with the champions, another strong performance at a well backed Wyre Stadium at Firhill left them inarguably harshly without a points return against Glasgow City. However, there has been lots to praise for Gary Holt’s side, who’d be wholly looking to being something back to Glasgow from the capital.

The game started quickly, as either side looked to dominate early, seeing a handful of frantic passes go out of play. Once it settled slightly, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock as Husband broke at pace towards the box before cutting the ball back toward Johns who was infront of goal but too crowded by the jags defence to get a shot away. Instead, she helped it towards Slattery just behind her who poked it into the back of the net in the 7th minute to grant the lead.

Thistle weren’t deterred by it though, as they were quickly back on a press of their own, working the ball down the right hand side before floating the cross high into the box, left with no other option for Hearts other than to fire it away before it could be capitalised on.

Through the first 15 minutes, the game maintained its quick tempo, as thistle had begun to box hearts into a tight area of the pitch, forcing the mistake that would get them back onto the attack, and limiting hearts’ way out.

Partick Thistle remained very much in the game as it grew to settle through the half hour mark, A big portion of play was taking part in their attacking third, coming close to goal from in swinging corners from either side before a neat team move saw the ball rebound back out to Handley who struck from distance, her effort landing just high of the bar to deny the equaliser.

The jags continued to knock at the door through the remainder of the first half, again working I numbers to get down the wing before the high cross was sent in inch perfect for Rennie, whose first time effort looked et for goal in the 43rd minute, denied by the finger tips of the hearts keeper to push it away from danger in what would be the last attack of the opening half.

The second half didn’t get underway as well as which the first had concluded however as on the first attack, Hearts worked the ball from the back before playing the long ball into pace, the resulting cross was tipped away by Currie but closest to it was Andrews, who tapped home to extend the lead in the 46th minute.

The hosts grew further minutes later, after a last ditch thistle clearance wont he corner. Swung into the box, Currie did well to deflect the initial over-the-head effort but Hunter was on hand to catch the rebound and send it goalward in the 56th minute.

The first of the thistle changes fell in the 70th minute, where Taylor, Love and McGoldrick departed for Syrjanen, King and McAllister, respectively.

Following from the bench shortly thereafter was Hollis, who replaced Longcake.

Despite the deficit, Thistle were still pressing well into the closing minutes. Whilst the hosts had picked up in their intensity as they looked to put the game out of sight, thistle were handling the pressure as they shut down the space and limited their options, using the turn in play to their advantage and in turn seeing the tie remain 3-0.

However, as seen in a number of games this season, Partick thistle fell to a scoreline that wasn’t as representative of the performance. Another positive showing across the park, particularly through the first half, which should give optimism for their next journey as they welcome Rangers to Petershill on Sunday May 10th, kick off 2pm.