It transpired to be a frustrating afternoon for the women of steel, as a dominant display could ultimately only merit a point, as the visitors braced the frosty conditions at Petershill Park on Sunday.
Laura Berry rewarded the women of steel’s attacking first-half threat, claiming the opener to propel the visitors firmly into the ascendency at the half-time break.
As play resumed, Motherwell were the architects of their own downfall, gifting possession cheaply to former striker Tiree Burchill, who drilled home an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner.
The women of steel rallied in the second-half, forcing the fatigued Thistle backline into trading possession deep into their own territory, but despite creating countless opportunities; the decisive winner evaded Paul Brownlie’s side.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie named five changes from the side that were knocked out of the Sky Sports League Cup Quarter-Final to defending champions Rangers over a week ago. Emily Mutch returned to claim her place in the Motherwell goal, with captain Gill Inglis, Sophie Black, Rachel Todd and Laura Berry all featuring in the starting XI.
Motherwell had the ball in the back of the net within the opening minutes of the game, as Rice’s whipped delivery across the face of goal was diverted back into the six-yard-box off the chest of Collins, and a defensive mix-up saw Clare Docherty head the ball into her own goal. However, the referee had adjudged Collins knee to have been her hand, and disallowed the goal for handball, much to the bemusement of the Motherwell players.
Berry continued to cause the hosts problems, skilfully working her way past numerous red and yellow jerseys before shifting the ball through the legs of Demi Falconer and delivering a low-delivery towards her fellow Rangers loanee Sophie Black, but despite a goalmouth scramble; Motherwell couldn’t convert.
Berry continued to be the provider, carrying the ball from midfield into the Thistle final third before teeing up the overlapping Bailley Collins, but the defenders low-effort failed to trouble the Jags stopper.
Motherwell’s dominance was soon rewarded, as the visitors finally broke through the resolute Thistle backline. Rice’s floated free-kick from the right-flank sailed invitingly into the Thistle penalty area, and Berry contested Demi Falconer for the ball, with the decisive touch coming off one of the challenging players before nestling comfortably into the back of the net.
As the second-half resumed, Motherwell gifted the hosts a lifeline, with former striker Tiree Burchill netting the equaliser. Motherwell were caught in possession, with a shortage of players at the back, and Burchill calmly raced through before drilling an unstoppable right-footed finish into the top-left corner.
Amy Sharkey came close to restoring the women of steel’s advantage after latching onto Sarah Gibb’s through ball, but the striker couldn’t find a clean connection on the ball, as the forwards strike fell well wide of the target.
Louisa Boyes almost secured the three points in the final stages of the game, curling a hopeful strike from the edge pf the penalty area, but it resulted in a comfortable save for the Thistle goalkeeper.
