MANAGER’S NOTES BRIAN GRAHAM
I want to begin by welcoming Dean Gibson and everyone at Hibs to Petershill Park for what should be a very exciting cup tie tonight. This will be our third game against Hibs this season and the previous two have both been close games decided by one goal. Our more recent game against them was not much more than a week ago as we lost 1-0 though we felt we definitely could have taken something from that game if we’d taken our chances. It was a great experience for the girls playing at Easter Road on that big pitch and we thought the team did a good job of moving the ball and using it to our advantage – it was just a shame that we couldn’t put the ball in the net when the opportunities came. We were able to carry the positives from that game into the match against Motherwell last weekend as we got another point on the board. We got off to a great start and were two up without really playing our best football but then Motherwell scored a great goal just before half-time which really seemed to boost them. Coming out for the second half they had much more confidence and put us under a bit more pressure than they had in the first half. Credit to our girls though for the way they reacted to going 3-2 down because within a couple of minutes it was 3-3. That’s the sort of spirit we’ll need tonight if we’re going to find a way past Hibs and create history for the club. We’ve had setbacks in each of our Scottish Cup game so far this season and we’ve found a way to win despite those so we need to be ready to battle again tonight. Enjoy the game,
2021/22 FIXTURES
Date
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
17.04.22
Home
Celtic
SWPL1
24.04.22
Home
Hibernian
SWPL1
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
(5)
Amy Bulloch
15(6)
Summer Christie
2(4)
Emma Craig
3(2)
Danica Dalziel
7(4)
1
Clare Docherty
20(2)
4
Rachel Donaldson
8
1
Demi Falconer
27
1
Taylor Fisher
1(6)
Colette Fleming
10(5)
Jade Gallon
3
Lauren Grant
3(1)
Jade Greenshields
2(2)
Taylor Hamil
3(5)
Freya MacDonald
20(4)
2
Cara McBrearty
23(1)
7
Teigan McCann
10(7)
5
Cheryl McCulloch
23
1
Taylor McGlashan
6(3)
Rebecca McGowan
21
Lauren McGregor
20(1)
Louise Magilton
1(3)
Kim Murphy
15(1)
Eva Payne
(3)
Sophie Payne
1(2)
London Pollard
6
2
Cheryl Rigden
9(12)
1
Rosie Slater
19(4)
Eleanor Smith
5(7)
Linzi Taylor
11
Ellie Vernal
2(1)
2
1
3
4
CARA MCBREARTY PLAYER INFO
PLAYER INTERVIEW
Name: Cara McBrearty Date of Birth: 29/10/1994 Position: Attacking Midfielder Joined Thistle: November 20th 2020 Previous Club(s): Hamilton Accies, Queen’s Park, Celtic Thistle Debut: v Aberdeen, SWPL2, November 22nd 2020 First Thistle Goal: Hamilton Accies, SWPL2, June 16th 2021 Thistle Appearances and Goals: Apps: 33(3) Goals 12 International Honours: One Scotland Under 19 Cap You are playing a slightly different role this season than you are used to, how are you enjoying that, and do you feel you are learning new parts of your game? This season I have been playing a more attacking role as Brian now has me playing up front. At first I was a bit worried about it but to be honest if I’m playing, I’m not really bothered where, as long as I’m on the park. That’s been a while I’ve been playing as a striker now and I am enjoying it it’s been good learning a new role and having Brian and the guys there to support is obviously a massive help. You are currently top goalscorer with 7 so far this season, how have you enjoyed chipping in with so many goals and leading the top scorer list? Yeah it’s always good to chip in with some goals, it’s something I’m not really used to so it’s a nice change! Is it even better that you’re leading Clare Docherty? Hahaha aw of course that’s a wee bonus doc is always the one running away with top goal scorer! Don’t get me wrong though a good few of my goals she’s the one that’s set them up or won the penalty/ free kicks that I’ve scored from so I always need her beside me haha!
We’re getting towards the end of the season, how have you enjoyed the season so far with everything that went on at the start of the season?
Yeah I think this season was always going to be an interesting one with the dramatic start of us entering SWPL 1. For me I had just came from playing in that league so I knew how hard a challenge it would be however I think as a team we have handled ourselves really well and probably done a lot better than everyone thought. At the start for us, it was all about staying in the league but we have managed to pick up a good few results and now we want to try continue this and pick up as many points as we can from each game and see where we can finish. This gives us all something exciting to work towards each week! Just how big achievement would it be for everyone to finish the season and stay in this league? Yeah of course it would be massive, especially given the manner in which we got promoted into this league it was very last minute and as a squad we probably weren’t as prepared as we would of liked to be. So for us to of come this far and to have picked up some of the points we have has been really pleasing. The change in attitude from a lot of players too has been brilliant we now have the belief going into games that we can compete at this level and can do well. If we can finish the season the way we have been and stay in the league it will be a massive achievement for the whole club!
PLAYER SPONSORS 1. Lauren McGregor
Pauline and Elaine
2, Rosie Slater
Dr Wilma Hogg
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
Cobie O’Neil
21. Lauren Grant
Dogs Without Border Scotland
Greenhill Tyres & Exhaust
Euan Grant
23. Dionne Brown
The Music Room
L’Perfection
P.L.R. Groundworks
24. Amy Bulloch
Maureen Thomas
Billy & Dawn
ABI Services
Drumchapel United
Michelle Jackson
25. Rachel Donaldson
Alan Caldwell
26. Taylor Hamill 27. Morgan Anderson 30. Taylor Fisher
Drumchapel United
OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS TOM HOSIE
The nights might be starting to get lighter but while it is great to see more and more daylight each day, I deny any football fan to say that there isn’t a little extra thrill in a match played under floodlights. Especially if that game, like tonight’s, is an important; played to a finish cup tie. It’s not long since we played our opponents tonight under the lights of Easter Road in a SWPL1 fixture. Although the narrow defeat that we suffered wasn’t the result that we wanted, it was still an occasion to savour and one that players, coaching staff and spectators alike seemed to enjoy. Great credit must go to Hibs for the way that they staged the fixture and for the way that their players interacted with the young Hibs fans who embraced the occasion, even if just about everyone associated with Thistle was routinely, and good naturedly, booed by those young, and hopefully longstanding, fans of the women’s game. The surrounds of Petershill Park might be modest in comparison to those of Easter Road but tonight’s game is too an occasion to savour. The reward for the winners, and there is the potential for extra-time and penalties to be required, to separate the two teams before time is called on the night’s action, is a place in the semi-final of the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup. Given the journey that we have been on over the last few years it is hard to believe that we are potentially just 90 minutes away from contesting the semi-final of the premier cup competition in the women’s game in Scotland. There is, however, the not inconsiderable hurdle in the shape of an extremely talented Hibs side that we need overcome first. Nobody is underestimating just how tough a challenge that will be. Equally though we firmly believe that we ourselves are a not inconsiderable hurdle to overcome. Hibs will claim, with some justification, that they were deserved winners in that recent Easter Road encounter, but we had our moments, especially in the first half, and with the score at 0-0 we had to that point the best opportunity of opening the scoring. Just how different the game might have been had we taken that chance we will never know. And let’s not forget that Hibs lost 3-2 here when we met earlier in the season when league points were at stake. So, rest assured that while we respect the talent that Hibs have, we are entering tonight’s game with no inferiority complex. We believe that we have the players and the talent to take us into the semi-final and make another piece of history for Partick Thistle Women’s FC. I for one can’t wait. C’mon The Jags
MATCH REPORT
MOTHERWELL 3 v 3 PARTICK THISTLE
Matches with Motherwell this season have had a bit of everything. A Dramatic injury time equaliser, a penalty shootout and goals aplenty; 13 in total from the previous three encounters. A further six were added to the total following this game. It was Thistle that struck first in this match. Duff in the Motherwell goal was unable to deal with a McBrearty free kick from wide on the Thistle right with Docherty first to react to the loose ball. Although Docherty had her back to goal she drew a rash challenge from a defender earning Thistle the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot which Cara McBrearty made no mistake from. That early goal though wasn’t the prelude to a period of Thistle dominance as Motherwell reacted well to falling behind. McGregor had to be well placed to save a well struck Inglis effort and Pollard was just a shade too high with her shot after having created an opening for herself with some skilful footwork. The game’s next goal though was a Thistle goal. Demi Falconer’s free kick from just inside her own half was flicked on by Cheryl McCulloch and Linzi Taylor was able to adeptly steer a volley into the net. Thistle, however, were unable to take that two goal advantage into the dressing room at half-time with McDonald-Nguah firing home a cracker from the edge of the Thistle box almost right on the stroke of half-time. That goal changed the complexion of the game giving Motherwell renewed hope and within four minutes of the restart they were level when Inglis found the net with a free kick on the left hand side. After 62 minutes Motherwell went in front. It was another set piece goal that proved to Thistle’s undoing. McDonald-Nguah finding the net for the second time in the game though this time her free kick, although well enough struck, really shouldn’t have found the back of the Thistle net. The Thistle response to falling behind was pleasingly rapid. Teigan McCann had only just come on as a substitute from the injured Colette Fleming when she was in the right place at the right time to profit from a spill from Duff to once again tie the scores. Despite their best efforts neither side were able to find the winner before the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of a thoroughly entertaining game of football. Team: McGregor, Slater, Murphy, McCulloch, Falconer, Fleming (McCann), Docherty, McBrearty, McGowan, Taylor (Hamill), Donaldson.
OUR VISITORS HIBERNIAN
It’s a warm welcome to Hibs manager Dean Gibson, his coaching staff and players for this evening’s eagerly anticipated Scottish Cup tie. In a league dominated by the ‘big three’ of Glasgow City, Rangers and Celtic; Hibs are generally considered to be the best of the rest which is reflected in the current league table that sees Hibs sitting comfortably in 4th position. There has been a degree of inconsistency to the Hibs season with unexpected defeats all the way against ourselves here at Petershill Park back in October when they led at the break, and again just last month when they lost to city rivals Spartans. There has been disappointment too that they haven’t been away to prise more points away from the top three, a 4-0 defeat away to Celtic last weekend their most recent result, although they did draw with the same opposition back in January with Ellis Notley bagging a 90th minute equaliser. More pleasing though has been three derby wins over Hearts. Hibs, of course, have been a mainstay of the Women’s game in Scotland and they will be hoping to add this season’s Scottish Cup to the 8 they have previously won. Their first cup win coming against Kilmarnock in 2003, with further triumphs over Cove Rangers (2005), Glasgow City (2007), Celtic (2008), Rangers (2010), Glasgow City (2016), Glasgow City (2017), Motherwell (2018).
OUR VISITORS HIBERNIAN
Route to the Quarter Final Third Round St Johnstone 1, Hibs 6 A tie away to SWPL2 side St Johnstone may have had the potential of being a tricky tie, but Hibs made lightwork of their Perth based opponents. Michaela McAlonie opened the scoring for Hibs after just six minutes and although St Johnstone did, briefly level the scores with an 11th goal of their own, Hibs had a two-goal advantage by the half-time whistle. Alexa Coyle restored the Hibs’ lead after 15 minutes before scoring her second, and the Hibs third, 6 minutes before the interval. A Shannon McGregor goal after 72 minutes all but secured the Hibs passage into the next round before late goals from Rosie Livingstone (89 minutes) and Ellis Notley (90 minutes) completed the scoring. Fourth Round Hibs 12, Gartcairn 0 The reward for defeating St Johnstone in the third round was a home tie against Championship South side Gartcairn. Gartcairn might be in the middle of two-way title challenge with Rossvale in the Championship South but they were no match for Hibs in this encounter with the SWPL1 side scoring six times either side of half-time. Amy Gallacher opened the scoring after just 4 minutes and by the half-time whistle had completed a first half hat-trick with further strikes after 23 and 33 minutes. Colette Cavanagh netted a couple of first half goals with Shannon McGregor also getting in on the first half action. If Gartcairn thought that Hibs might ease off after the break they were in for a disappointment. This time it was Michaela McAlonie’s turn net a hat-trick with goals after 58, 66 and 88 minutes. Also on the scoresheet as Hibs ran riot were Toni Malone, Leah Eddie and Kirsty Morrison.
THISTLE V HIBERNIAN THE STORY SO FAR
One of the highlights of what has been a thrilling season for Thistle was our first meeting with Hibs this season. Venue on October 10th was Petershill Park and it was the afternoon that we gave real notice that we were not in this division to make up the numbers. It didn’t have the most promising of beginnings though with Hibs taking an 18th minute lead. A Boyle free kick found Siobhan Hunter who was able to direct her shot beyond the reach of Danica Dalziel who was deputising in the Thistle goal at the time and it was that goal that separated the teams at half-time. Ten minutes into the second half and Thistle were level. Teigan McCann was fouled inside the box and Amy Bullloch tucked the penalty away. Twelve minutes later and Thistle were in front with a quite magnificent goal. It started and finished with Rebecca McGowan who collected the ball in midfield, powered downfield, exchanged passes with London Pollard before confidently finding the back of the net. The game had scarcely had time to settle down when Thistle had a third goal with Amy Bulloch again the scorer. Bulloch this time trying her luck with speculative shot from outside the box that Mutch in the Hibs goal will feel that she should have prevented from crossing the line. The goal scoring frenzy continued when Hibs pulled a goal back a minute after Bulloch’s second goal when Colette Cavanagh was able to head a cross from the right into the net. There was still a quarter of the game to go and plenty of chances at both ends but no further scoring with Thistle collecting all three points. Teams Thistle: Dalziel, Slater, Falconer, McCann (Rigden), Docherty, McGlashan, McBrearty (Smith), McGowan, MacDonald, Pollard, Bulloch Hibs: Mutch, Muir, Eddie, Hunter, Leishman, Morrison (Malone), Boyle, Rennie (Notley), Gallacher, Coyle (Cavanagh), Adams.
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 23. Dionne Brown 24. Amy Bulloch 25. Rachel Donaldson 26. Taylor Hamill 27. Morgan Anderson 30. Taylor Fisher
HIBERNIAN 1. Gabby English 2. Shannon Leishman 3. Amy Muir 4. Siobhan Hunter 6. Leah Eddie 9. Eilidh Adams 10. Shannon McGregor 11. Colette Cavanagh 12. Michaela McAlonie 13. Emily Mutch 14. Jenna Penman 15. Amy Gallacher 16. Ellis Notley 17. Joelle Murray 18. Alexa Coyle 20. Ria McCafferty 23. Rachael Boyle 27. Rosie Livingstone 29. Kirsty Morrison