Boroughmuir Thistle fell to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Gartcairn at MTC Park on a dreich Sunday afternoon.
The hosts took the lead via Nicole Carter before Maria Novoa-Torrente bagged her second goal in as many games to draw Thistle level heading into half time.
Boroughmuir then went in front shortly after the restart thanks to Cailin Michie’s flick, but Kaela McDonald-Ngauh’s spot kick and Megan Robb’s screamer ensured all three points for the home side.
The result sees Gartcairn move level on points with Boroughmuir in third place, with Thistle now nine points adrift of SWPL 2 leaders Hamilton after seven games.
Off the back of such an emphatic victory over Livingston last weekend, it was always going to be difficult for Boroughmuir to match that level of performance.
Thistle probably had the better of the first half chances, especially in the opening exchanges. Cara Borthwick’s dangerous low cross from the right-hand-side was well dealt with by the Gartcairn ‘keeper, and Molly Orr-Love was unfortunate to narrowly drift offside as she picked up Leni Parrish’s neat flick.
The hosts, though, took the lead on 13 minutes when Emma Lawson nipped in front of Erin Sheehan to intercept Toni Harkness’ pass, played in McDonald-Nguah whose volley rattled the crossbar, and Carter was on hand to bundle home the rebound.
However, six minutes later Thistle were level when Louise Mason’s free kick was volleyed into the net by Novoa-Torrente at the back post.
The rest of the half played out devoid of many clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, with much of the action taking place in the midfield as both sides put in some meaty tackles.
Some great work by Borthwick down the right saw her cut the ball back to the onrushing Parrish in the box, but the youngster’s first-time effort flew over the bar from around 12 yards out.
Half time saw Head Coach Andy Enwood change things up top as last week’s hero Emily Reid was introduced to replace Orr-Love, and within seven minutes of the restart, Thistle were in front.
Another Mason free kick found Michie who had made a run to the front post and the midfielder watched as her tidy back-heeled effort found its way into the back of the net.
On 62 minutes Holly Aitchison - who was returning to the Boroughmuir side after missing a few games with a facial injury - brought down a Gartcairn forward right on the line of the box, and the referee subsequently pointed to the penalty spot. McDonald-Nguah stepped up and made no mistake from the spot as she drew her side level.
Despite a flurry of substitutions, Thistle couldn’t quite carve out many further goalscoring opportunities as the hosts were in the ascendency.
Then on 78 minutes Robb scored what turned out to be the winner for Gartcairn when she unleashed a stunning effort from the right-hand-side which flew across goal and beyond Harkness into the far bottom corner.
So a disappointing day for Boroughmuir as this defeat and results elsewhere sees them fall nine points behind league leaders Hamilton in the hunt for promotion.
Up next, though, is the league visit of Livingston to Meadowbank Stadium on Sunday. Kick-off in that one is 1pm.
Gartcairn WFC: McPhie, Healy, M. Wilson, Young, J. Wilson (C), Carter (Boyce 66’), McDonald-Nguah (McGowan 83’), Gray, Anderson (Robb 73’), Jackson (Wands 83’), Lawson (McGonigle 46’)
Subs: Jackson, McGonigle, Wands, Robb, Boyce, Maxwell, Clemison, Simpson, McGowan
Boroughmuir Thistle: Harkness, Sheehan, Mason (C), Michie, Novoa-Torrente (Moore 73’), Gibson, McCafferty, Orr-Love (Reid 46’), Borthwick, Aitchison (Brady 63’), Parrish (Galbraith 68’)
Subs: Angelini, Armstrong, Reid, Macleod, Forbes, Galbraith, Brady, Hinchcliffe, Moore
Referee: Stuart Broadfoot
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