Late drama again as Thistle held by Gartcairn

It was a point apiece at a dreich MTC Park on Sunday afternoon as Boroughmuir battled hard against Gartcairn in SWPL 2.

Holly Aitchison thought she had won it for Thistle when she converted her penalty in the 89th minute, only for the hosts to equalise via Fern Newbigging in injury time.

The late flurry of goals followed a closely-fought encounter in which Boroughmuir defended resolutely to thwart their hosts.

The draw and results elsewhere mean Boroughmuir remain in fourth place, one point ahead of St Johnstone and six behind third-place Livingston with four matches to play.

A far-cry from the two 7-0 thrashings Boroughmuir handed Gartcairn earlier in the season, goalmouth action was at a premium in the first half and neither team were afraid to show their physical side in midfield.

Gartcairn defender Jaya Gill’s free kick curled just wide of the top left corner before Olivia Forsyth picked up Ria McCafferty’s cross-field pass, cut in from the left, and had a pop - though her effort was saved by goalkeeper Jasmine McPhie.

Thistle ‘keeper Beth Rennie was then called into action for the first time shortly before half time when she dived low to her left to keep out Rachel Howie’s long-range effort.

Half Time: Gartcairn WFC 0-0 Boroughmuir Thistle

The game opened up a bit more in the second half, with Morgan Hay looking lively for the hosts as she fired just over the crossbar before forcing Rennie into another excellent diving save.

On 60 minutes, Boroughmuir were awarded their first penalty. Forsyth found Fiona Gibson with a pin-point, defence-splitting pass before the midfielder was brought down by McPhie - however, she couldn’t convert from the spot as the ball sailed just wide.

Thistle were then awarded a rare in-direct free kick in the Gartcairn box following a passback, though the defensive wall did well to block Aitchison’s effort following the lay-off.

Just as the game looked to be fizzling out, substitute Emily Arthur dispossessed Gill, made a surging run into the box, and was recklessly tripped by the backtracking defender. Aitchison stepped up to take Thistle’s second penalty and coolly sent McPhie the wrong way to give the away side the lead with a minute to go.

However, for the second time in two weeks, Thistle found themselves on the end of an injury time equaliser as Fern Newbigging capitalised on a defensive mix-up to lob the ball into the back of the net.

A painful end, then, to a hard-fought encounter, as the point ensures Boroughmuir remain in fourth place in SWPL 2 ahead of their visit to Stirling University on Wednesday 1st May.

Full Time: Gartcairn WFC 1-1 Boroughmuir Thistle

Gartcairn WFC: McPhie, Gill, Gray (C), Wilson (McClounan 81’), Hay, Howie, McGonigle, Davies (Hay 69’), Burns, Wands, McDonald-Nguah

Subs: Gibney, Hay, Findlay, McClounan, Simpson, Hughes, Newbigging

Boroughmuir Thistle: Rennie, Ramage (C), Hinchcliffe, McCabe, Gibson, McCafferty (Sheehan 73’), Aitchison, Forsyth (Simmons 60’), Novoa-Torrente, Hall (Arthur 73’), Macleod (Murphy 89’)

Subs: Murphy, Verbist, Sheehan, Arthur, Smith, Brown, Simmons

Referee: Steven McKay

Post-Match Reaction