Controversial game sees Thistle claim crucial three points: Partick Thistle Women 1-0 Dundee United Women
Partick Thistle saw off Dundee United in a narrow victory at the Petershill stadium, which was overshadowed by dodgy referee decisions.
Cara Henderson picked up the only goal in the game as the visitors squandered a glorious chance to equalise with a penalty miss in the final minutes.
United and Thistle hit the net early on but were both denied by the linesman’s flag for offside in the opening 15 minutes.
It was United who dominated the match for the remainder of the first-half as Robb and McGinley continually tested Cunningham in the Jags net.
The anger from players and the crowd towards the referee began to show towards half-time as he started brandishing yellow cards for dubious fouls, mostly towards Thistle.
Fans look on as Partick Thistle take on Dundee United in the SWPL1 clash (Image: Sam Scouller)
As the second half got underway, Cara Henderson continued to make attempts on goal as she found herself unmarked at the back post and was only narrowly kept out by the glove of McNicoll.
Just after the hour mark, Henderson’s persistence paid off as she put the Jags in front. Henderson whipped in a corner kick which tested the visiting ‘keeper, before being cleared directly back to Henderson’s boot on the left wing, which she struck perfectly through the ‘keeper’s hands.
Thistle continued to attack as Ferguson launched a rocket of a shot at McNicoll, which had to be cleared off the line after the United ‘keeper failed to get a safe catch of the ball.
As the game neared the final minutes, United refused to lay down and accept defeat as Delworth was narrowly kept out by Cunningham’s boot after a ball disguised as a cross forced the Jags ‘keeper into action.
Dundee United’s biggest chance of the game came in the 81st minute as they were awarded a penalty after Danni McGinley was brought down inside the box.
It was McGinley who stepped up for the visitors as she blasted it off the post, before attempting a re-bound which she then blazed high over the bar.
The dramatic affair wasn’t over yet as the game’s most memorable moment took place with little under five minutes remaining.
After retrieving the ball for a throw in, Thistle assistant coach, Stewart Hall was shown a red card for what the referee described as “abusive language”.
The final whistle blew as Thistle sealed the three points to gather their second straight league victory.
Hall said: “I’ve not swore at him or been aggressive to him, I don’t really know the exact reason why I was sent off. I’m just really confused at the moment.”
Brian Graham also commented on the red card saying: “It’s one of the worst sending offs I’ve ever been involved with to be honest and we will be appealing it.”
On his thoughts of the match, he continued: “I’m obviously delighted, it’s an important three points but I’m just a bit disappointed not to score more goals.”
Dundee United manager, Graeme Hart said: “It’s frustrating, it was a very scrappy game. We didn’t put away our chances and got punished for it. There’s still plenty of positives to take though, today was a real learning curve for us.”
Player of the Match, Cara Henderson said: “I’m really happy for myself but also for the team. Dundee United are a good side but I think our reaction to their penalty and our overall performance was really good.
“We have some really big games coming up, now we just go and regroup and hope to do it all again.”