Partick Thistle v Celtic by Partick Thistle Women's FC

MANAGER’S NOTES BRIAN GRAHAM

I’d like to begin my programme notes for today’s game in the Park’s Motor Group SWPL 1 by welcoming Fran Alonso and everyone at Celtic WFC to Petershill Park. Today’s is a game we’re all looking forward to and we’re sure it’ll be a tough one against one of the top teams in the country and one of our fellow semi-finalists in the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup. We’ve not played in two weeks since our 4-2 win over Hibs in the quarters but the positive feeling hasn’t faded at all. Everyone at the club was absolutely delighted with the result on the night and I think that has created a real buzz around training in the time since. We’ve had our draw for the last four and we’ll be taking on Glasgow City which will be be difficult and exciting in equal measures. It’s important that we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves though because we’ve got two massive league games to play before that big day at the Falkirk Stadium. First up it’s Celtic and after giving a good account of ourselves against them in the SWPL Cup, we haven’t really shown our best in two games against them in the league so we want to make sure we do better this time round. There’s still a lot to play for in terms of the league so it’s up to us to go and finish what has been a great first season in the SWPL 1 on a positive note over the next couple of months. Enjoy the game,

Date

2021/22 FIXTURES

Venue

Opposition

Compeition

Score

08.08.21

Home

Celtic

SWPL Cup

1-3

15.08.21

Away

St Johnstone

SWPL Cup

4-0

29.08.21

Away

Hearts

SWPL Cup

0-0

12.09.21

Home

Aberdeen

SWPL1

0-2

19.09.21

Home

Motherwell

SWPL1

3-2

30.09.21

Away

Glasgow City

SWPL1

1-3

03.10.21

Away

Celtic

SWPL1

0-6

06.10.21

Away

Rangers

SWPL1

1-7

10.10.21

Home

Hibernian

SWPL1

3-2

17.10.21

Home

Hamilton

SWPL1

2-2

31.10.21

Away

Glasgow City

SWPL Cup

0-5

03.11.21

Away

Spartans

SWPL1

0-0

07.11.21

Home

Hearts

SWPL1

2-3

21.11.21

Home

Rangers

SWPL1

0-1

28.11.21

Away

Aberdeen

SWPL1

P-P

12.12.21

Home

Glasgow City

SWPL1

0-2

09.01.22

Home

Motherwell

Scot Cuo

2-2 (PT win 4-2 on pens)

16.01.22

Away

Motherwell

SWPL1

2-2

23.01.22

Home

Celtic

SWPL1

0-7

06.02.22

Away

Hamilton

SWPL1

1-0

13.02.22

Home

Boroughmuir Thistle

Scot Cup

2-1 (AET)

20.02.22

Home

Spartans

SWPL1

2-2

27.02.22

Away

Hearts

SWPL1

4-2

06.03.22

Away

Rangers

SWPL1

1-6

13.03.22

Home

Aberdeen

SWPL1

1-2

20.03.22

Away

Glasgow City

SWPL1

0-2

23.03.22

Away

Hibernian

SWPL1

0-1

27.03.22

Away

Motherwell

SWPL1

3-3

01.04.22

Home

Hibernian

Scot Cup

4-2

17.04.22

Home

Celtic

SWPL1

24.04.22

Home

Hibernian

SWPL1

01.05.22

Neautral

Glasgow City

Scot CUp

08.05.22

Home

Hamilton

SWPL1

11.05.22

Home

Spartans

SWPL1

15.05.22

Away

Hearts

SWPL1

PLAYER

2021/22 STATS APPS

GOALS

Morgan Anderson

(3)

Dionne Brown

(6)

Amy Bulloch

15(7)

Summer Christie

2(4)

Emma Craig

3(2)

Danica Dalziel

7(4)

Clare Docherty

21(2)

Rachel Donaldson

Demi Falconer

Taylor Fisher

1(6)

Colette Fleming

10(5)

Jade Gallon

Lauren Grant

3(1)

Jade Greenshields

2(2)

Taylor Hamil

4(5)

Freya MacDonald

20(5)

Cara McBrearty

24(1)

Teigan McCann

10(8)

Cheryl McCulloch

Taylor McGlashan

6(3)

Rebecca McGowan

Lauren McGregor

21(1)

Louise Magilton

1(3)

Kim Murphy

16(1)

Eva Payne

(3)

Sophie Payne

1(2)

London Pollard

Cheryl Rigden

9(12)

Rosie Slater

20(4)

Eleanor Smith

5(7)

Linzi Taylor

Ellie Vernal

2(1)

RACHEL DONALDSON PLAYER INFO

PLAYER INTERVIEW

Name: Rachel Donaldson Date of Birth: 13/04/1996 Position: Attacking Midfielder Joined Thistle: February 6th 2022 Previous Club(s): Stirling University, Celtic Thistle Debut: v Hamilton, SWPL1, February 6th 2022 First Thistle Goal: v Spartans, SWPL1, February 20th 2022 Thistle Appearances and Goals: Apps: 9 Goals 1

How are you enjoying life at Partick Thistle after coming into the squad in February? I’m really enjoying being part of the squad. It’s a great group of girls and they’ve all been really welcoming and made it easy for me to slot in. The standards expected are really high so I’m still being challenged and we went on a nice unbeaten run to begin with which was a great start to my time there. When you left Celtic you weren’t sure of your next move, but the manager convinced you to Partick Thistle, are you glad you made that decision? I initially thought about leaving football as I felt after Celtic it was so demanding and I just could sustain it with my job. I took some time off but every week Brian messaged me and eventually one week I finally agreed to come in and loved it. They were really accommodating with me and I feel really supported at the club. I’m still trying to get back to full fitness and match sharpness so their working really hard with me and I’m really happy with my decision.

The team has such a strong team spirit, how has that been for a newer player coming in and becoming part of that? There are a lot of big personalities in the changing room so I was a bit nervous but everyone’s been so nice. I had already played with Cara and Chez at Celtic and Demi’s my best friend so I think I that really helped. I’m really competitive, even in training, so it was really nice to see the determination and hunger everyone has in the team to go and challenge which is why I think we have surpassed people’s expectations. We’re through to the semi final of the Scottish cup, how big an achievement is it for the club, especially on top of the good league season we’ve had? It’s massive, it’s the furthest the club has ever been which is nice to be a little part of history. It’s a big moment for all the girls and we just need to go out and enjoy it. It just shows the ambition of the club and the talent that’s in this squad. I’m looking forward to going out there and challenging one of the top teams for that spot in the final. There aren’t many games now before the end of the season but what are your personal aims between now and then? I think on a personal level I would like to get back to full fitness and match sharpness. I don’t feel like I’m back to myself yet so I’m working hard in training to get there. I think I lost a bit of confidence in myself but the management and the girls have been amazing with me so far and i can feel myself enjoying football more and more each week. I definitely would like to add some more goals and assists before the end of the season and hopefully maybe some silverware as well!

PLAYER SPONSORS 1. Lauren McGregor

Pauline and Elaine

2, Rosie Slater

Dr Wilma Hogg

3. Kim Murphy

Alex Tulloch Joiners

41 Sports Media

Morag & Graham Elrick

David & Caroline Mackie

4. Cheryl McCulloch 5. Demi Falconer

Dr Wilma Hogg Catriona Tucker

CL Flooring

6. Colette Fleming

Dunmuir Coachworks

John Donegan

7. Teigan McCann

True Potential Wealth

Randle Wilson

Donald DIngwall

8. Clare Docherty

Ivy, Etta & Amos

PTFC Nomads

JM Mobile Valeting

9. Taylor McGlashan

Drumchapel United

10. Emma Craig 11. Cara McBrearty

Gordon McClure Cairnhill Structures

The Mayes Family

Watson Towers

Abodo Contractors

Dean Robertson Joinery

Allied Interiors

The Arrandale Hotel Ayr

Alan Caldwell

Teng Tools UK

The Welsh Family

14. Louise Magilton 15. Jade Gallon 16. Rebecca McGowan 17. Linzi Taylor 18. Danica Dalziel

LA Travel

19. Cheryl Rigden 20. Freya MacDonald

41 Sports Media Cobie O’Neil

Cobie O’Neil

21. Lauren Grant

Dogs Without Border Scotland

Greenhill Tyres & Exhaust

Euan Grant

24. Amy Bulloch

Maureen Thomas

Billy & Dawn

ABI Services

Drumchapel United

Michelle Jackson

The Music Room

L’Perfection

P.L.R. Groundworks

25. Rachel Donaldson

Alan Caldwell

26. Taylor Hamill 27. Morgan Anderson 30. Taylor Fisher 32. Dionne Brown

OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU

WHAT A NIGHT! TOM HOSIE

Football should be about the next match and not the last game, but it would be remiss not to take a bit of time to reflect back on the events of our last game. We’re talking, of course, about, our Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup Quarter-Final tie with Hibs. We had hoped for a special night under the Petershill Park floodlights and boy did we get that special night. It would perhaps be going a little too far to suggest that we were universally written off before kick-off, but certainly it was Hibs that were the favourites going into the match. That tag of favourites had long since been ripped off by the time the half-time whistle sounded with Thistle two to the good and we were in dreamland when Cara McBrearty made it 3-0 shortly after the restart. There was to be no comfortable passage through to the semi-final though with Hibs hitting back with two goals of their own before Cheryl McCulloch’s header took Thistle through to the last four of this incredible history making season for Partick Thistle WFC. We don’t want the story to end with that win though, either in the cup or the league. It’s Glasgow City that lie in wait for us in the semi-final in a fortnight’s time and they, like Hibs, will start as big favourites. If we can match the belief and desire that we showed against Hibs then, well, who knows. It may have been confirmed that there will be no relegation from SWPL1 this season, but we still have much to play for in the league as well. Everyone is well aware of the circumstances behind our elevation to the topflight. To avoid relegation in those circumstances would have been no mean feat and to have been assured of avoiding the drop that would have meant an 8th place finish our better. Eighth is our current league position and even though we know that our place in the top league is assured for next season there still exists a burning desire to at the very least maintain that league position come the season’s end. And finally, how could I not mention Demi Falconer at this point? Her feat of playing 100 consecutive fixtures without having missed a single minute of those 100 games was a truly astounding one. She deserved all the praise and accolades that came her way at the conclusion of the Hibs game.

MATCH REPORT

PARTICK THISTLE 4 v 2 HIBERNIAN There are special moments in every club’s history, and this will certainly come under that heading for Partick Thistle WFC. Victory in this match has taken us to, at the very least, the semi-final of the premier cup competition in the women’s game in Scotland. The not inconsiderable obstacle that Thistle had to overcome to reach that stage came in the shape eight-time winners, Hibernian. After the game manager Brian Graham spoke about how his side had been on the front foot from the very start and that was evidenced inside the first minute of the game when a shot from McBrearty forced a save from English in the Hibs goal. That early shot across the Hibs bows set the tune for a first half where Thistle produced football of the highest quality. McGowan saw her shot, after McBrearty had touched the ball back to her, deflected over the crossbar as Thistle pressed for an early opener. Hibs were contributing to an open, entertaining game of football too and a Cavanagh shot from the edge of the box came close. Thistle remained the dominant side though, pressing Hibs all over the pitch. In the 18th minute that high press approach saw Slater drive forward and her low shot was saved by English. The only real surprise of the first half was that it took Thistle until the 30th minute to deservedly open the scoring. It was again Thistle’s willingness to press Hibs that created the opening. Hamill collected the ball, pushed it into the path of McBrearty who stabbed the ball into the path of Clare Docherty who applied the finish from 6 yards out. Having had a big hand in Thistle’s opener, it was Hamill that netted the second Thistle goal five minutes before the break. Falconer’s free kick was flicked on finding Taylor Hamill in space inside the box and she adeptly and with confidence steered the ball into the net. Two goals to the good at the break, the opening stages of the second half would be vital and Thistle were in dream land when just a minute into the second 45 minutes they extended their lead. Donaldson forced English into an error and when the ball broke to McBrearty there was no doubt where her left foot finish was ending up. Hibs pulled a goal back with almost indecent haste. A cross from the left found Leishman at the back post and she was able to slide the ball beyond McGregor and into the net. In the 62nd minute McGregor saved well at her front post to deny Cavanagh but a minute later and it was very much Game On as Hibs pulled another goal back when McAlonie was able to squeeze the ball home at McGregor’s right hand post. There was a real anxious moment when an Adams header landed on the roof of the Thistle net but the game’s next, and ultimately decisive goal, would be Thistle’s. There were 72 minutes on the clock when McBrearty’s corner from the right was met by the head of Cheryl McCulloch whose header came off the underside of the bar and dropped over the line. Team: McGregor, Slater, Murphy, McCulloch (MacDonald), Falconer, Docherty, McBrearty (Brown), McGowan, Taylor, Donaldson (McCann), Hamill (Bulloch)

OUR VISITORS CELTIC

The end of the SWPL1 season is fast approaching with the destination of the league title still undecided. It will be a source of frustration to Celtic manager Fran Alonso and his staff that Celtic will not be involved in that title race as we enter the final weeks of the season. The reason why Celtic, who at times have played some scintillating football the season, aren’t taking their title challenge right down the wire is not hard to find. Quite simply their results against the other title challengers, Glasgow City and Rangers, just haven’t been good enough. Since the resumption of league football following the winter break, Celtic have played Glasgow City twice and Rangers once in league fixtures and they have tasted defeat in each of those three fixtures. It’s those loses plus an earlier defeat to Rangers that sees Celtic trail the current leaders Rangers by 16 points and second place Celtic by 11 points. The consolation even of a Champions League slot seems a forlorn hope. Quite why Celtic have found it so difficult to prise league points from Rangers ad Glasgow city is hard to understand. Especially when you consider their cup record against both teams. The league title may not be heading to Celtic Park at the end of the current season but they have annexed the one cup competition already decided this season, the SWPL Cup. Rangers were defeated 1-0 at the quarter-final stage of that competition with the prolific Charlie Wellings scoring the solitary goal before Glasgow City were defeated by the same score line in the Firhill final back in December last year. Caitlin Hayes the scorer of the winning goal that afternoon. Rangers too have been eliminated from the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup and Celtic have a semi-final date with Hearts to look forward to at the start of next month as they aim to try to make up for league disappointments by winning a couple double.

OUR VISITORS CELTIC

LAST 10 MATCHES Date

Competition

Opposition

Score

03.04.22

SWF Cup

Aberdeen (A)

2-0

26.03.22

SWPL1

Hibs (H)

4-0

20.03.22

SWPL1

Motherwell (H)

6-1

13.03.22

SWPL1

Glasgow City (A)

1-2

06.03.22

SWPL1

Aberdeen (A)

3-0

27.02.22

SWPL1

Rangers (A)

0-3

20.02.22

SWPL1

Hearts (H)

2-0

13.02.22

SWF Cup

Rangers (H)

2-1

10.02.22

SWPL1

Glasgow City (A)

0-2

06.02.22

SWPL1

Spartans (A)

2-0

TOP SCORERS Player

Goals

Charlie Wellings

Chloe Craig

Clarissa Larisey

Olivia Chance

Kathleen McGovern

Jacynta

THISTLE V CELTIC THE STORY SO FAR

This afternoon’s match represents the 4th time that the two sides have met this season and the possibility still exists that the season might finish with a 5th meeting in the Final of Biffa Women’s Scottish Cup. It will likely come as little surprise to discover that Celtic hold the upper hand in the three previous encounters. Much has happened since the teams first met in competitive action for the very first time in the SWPL Cup back in August. We were busy preparing for a SWPL2 season at the time and Rachel Donaldson was still a Celtic player. Teigan McCann opened the scoring for Thistle after 7 minutes and that was a lead that Thistle held until Charlie Wellings scored the first of her current total of 23 league and cup goals just prior to half-time. The same player put Celtic 2-1 ahead just prior to the hour mark with Kathleen McGovern completing the scoring in injury time. A subsequent registration issue saw Celtic awarded a 3-0 win. Thistle: Grant (McGregor), Slater, Falconer, Fleming, McCann (S Payne), Craig (Smith), McBrearty, Vernal, Gallon, Rigden (E Payne), MacDonald. Celtic: Johnstone, Bartle, Jacynta (Gros), Clark, Toland (Harkes), Atkinson, Hayes (Craig), Wellings, Warrington, Bowie (Donaldson), McGovern. That SWPL Cup clash was a relatively close affair but the two league meetings have resulted in comfortable Celtic wins. At Airdrie in October, Celtic ran out 6-0 winners with three goals either side of half-time. Charlie Wellings netted a hat-trick that afternoon with Kathleen McGovern, Maria Gros and Mengyu Shen also on the score sheet. Celtic: Johnstone, Craig, Shen, Larisey, Chance (Toland), Donaldson (Warrington), Clark, Hayes, Wellings (Gros), Bowie (Jacynta), McGovern (Shorts) Thistle: McGregor, Slater, McCulloch, Falconer, Docherty (Smith), McCann, McBrearty, Vernal (Dalziel), McGowan, Rigden (Bulloch), MacDonald (McGlashan)

TEAM LISTS PARTICK THISTLE 1. Lauren McGregor 2. Rosie Slater 3. Kim Murphy 4. Cheryl McCulloch 5. Demi Falconer 6. Colette Fleming 7. Teigan McCann 8. Clare Docherty 9. Taylor McGlashan 10. Emma Craig 11. Cara McBrearty 13. Ellie Vernal 14.Louise Magilton 16. Rebecca McGowan 17. Linzi Taylor 18. Danica Dalziel 19. Cheryl Rigden 20. Freya Macdonald 21. Lauren Grant 24. Amy Bulloch 25. Rachel Donaldson 26. Taylor Hamill 27. Morgan Anderson 30. Taylor Fisher 32. Dionne Brown

CELTIC 1. Chloe Logan 3. Jodie Bartle 4. Cheyenne Shorts 5. Natalie Ross 6. Chloe Craig 8. Jacynta Galabadaarachchi 9. Shen Mengyu 10. Clarissa Larisey 11. Olivia Chance 14. Sarah Harkes 15. Kelly Clark 16. Tyler Toland 17. Izzy Atkinson 18. Caitlin Hayes 19. Maria Olafsdottir Gros 21. Charlie Wellings 22. Chloe Warrington 24. Tegan Bowie 25. Rebecca McAllister 52. Rachael Johnstone