Partick Thistle WFC v Hibernian WFC – 21st January 2024

Seven days on from a victory over their nearest league competitors, SWPL1 action was placed on temporary pause as Partick Thistle faced Hibernian in their bid of booking their place in the final of the Sky Sports Cup for the first time in their history.

The visitors have posed a positive season so far, sat 4 th in the league table with a two-point advantage over the Jags alongside knocking out Aberdeen and Dundee United to reach the semi-final stage.

The reverse of this fixture saw Thistle run out victors in the capital with the brace from Sinclair bringing all three points back to Glasgow and so it would be this level of performance Brain Graham would be looking for from his side to progress to the Tynecastle final.

With the visitors having a goal return of 21 from their last 3 matches, the defensive work would prove to be just as important as the attack from Thistle who looked to shut out chances from kick off. Despite the early onslaught of applied pressure towards the box, the Jags oversaw each defending question asked of them effectively, having picked up the runners from the through ball towards the area before they forced the mistake from the set piece in the opening minutes.

Surpassing the first quarter, Thistle had well worked a series of attacks from Hibs before they found themselves bursting up the park through the solo run from Taylor who was brought to ground as she made her way into the box. Undeterred by the claims for what looked a clear penalty, the referee instead added the Thistle midfielder’s name to his book before resuming play.

Whilst on the attack Thistle were awarded the free kick outside of the area through a foul on Henderson. With the rain lashing around them, Taylor sent the free kick that curled past every surrounding jersey in the box before it slid under the keeper and into the back of the net. Met by resounding noise from the 600 strong crowd that filled Petershill, Thistle broke the ever-important deadlock and turned this historic fixture in their favour.

From the goal, the attack had turned to favour the Jags who were making use of the spaces that had opened to them, frequently getting the ball in behind the Hibs backline. During this, the heat of the tie had boiled and reduced the visitors to ten after Eddie’s sliding challenge on the goal scorer saw her second booking of the afternoon and Taylor requiring treatment before being able to continue.

With the sounding of the whistle, Thistle headed into the dressing rooms with the hard-earned advantage that was indicative of a team effort. Weathering both the literal and metaphorical storm, they managed the opening defensive minutes well alongside capitalising on their own opportunities to attack. Breaking down a tough opposition saw them just 45 minutes from a national final for the first time in their history.

Straight from the restart, Thistle had regained the attacking dominance they displayed in the later stages of the first half. Making use of the entire Petershill surface, they forced the ball down the pitch via a series of throw-ins that eventually saw it reach the box, where the original shot was deflected outwards before Henderson’s effort met the same fate moments later.

The search for what well could have been the game deciding goal was found in spectacular fashion for the Jags just before the half hour mark as Slater collected the ball from the halfway line before laying off the one-two pass that saw her unleash her strike from distance that fired past the keeper. The second goal in a week for the defender opened a cushion for the Jags, with a strike that was made for the occasion.

Following a stop start period at the hands of a collection of fouls, Thistle saw themselves advance up the pitch in a well worked team move that saw McAllister get the ball to Taylor who in return sent her through ball pass towards Lawton whose firing shot rippled the side netting. A quick and free flowing move that showed to be effective for the Jags as they worked to ensure there would be no opportunity for the opposition to get back into the match.

The final throw in was met with the referee’s whistle as Petershill celebrated the newest piece of history that this Partick Thistle squad had etched into their ever-evolving timeline. A complete team performance from the first to the final whistle saw each player play their respective role and deservedly put the Jags forward to play for the Sky Sports Cup trophy at Tynecastle, taking on Rangers on the 23 rd of March.