Motherwell fought tirelessly to overcome last weekend’s Scottish Cup defeat to earn a thoroughly deserved point with Partick Thistle.
In a tough SWPL1 encounter at Alliance Park, Cara McBrearty fired the visitors ahead early on with a spectacular free-kick, before Amy Anderson pulled Motherwell level with a precise half volley.
Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s close-range effort put Motherwell ahead early into the second half, but Clare Docherty’s strike in the latter stages of the game brought Thistle level.
Looking for redemption after the cup exit at the hands of Partick Thistle, Motherwell started brightly and came close to the opener in the first few minutes.
Paige McAllister’s perfectly weighted through ball accurately picked out McDonald-Nguah on the right, and the striker skipped past her opponent with ease before firing across the face of the goal. But nobody could react quick enough to divert her effort towards goal.
However, despite Motherwell’s early dominance, the visitors netted the opener against the run of play from a free kick.
McBrearty confidently stepped up and curled a spectacular effort from distance into the top left corner, leaving Khym Ramsay with no chance in the Motherwell goal.
Looking for a quick response, the women of steel pressed forward in numbers and equalised minutes later. McDonald-Nguah’s chipped delivery fell kindly to Anderson at the edge of the box, and the midfielder composed herself before powering an exceptional half volley into the top left corner.
With the half-time whistle looming, Motherwell came agonisingly close to adding their second of the afternoon. Carla Boyce skilfully latched onto McDonald-Nguah’s long ball at the edge of the Thistle penalty area, but the striker lost her footing and sent her effort wide of the target.
Minutes into the second half, Paul Brownlie’s side took the lead.
Leanne Crichton’s pinpoint delivery accurately picked out Chelsie Watson in the box, who powered her header across the face of goal, leaving McDonald-Nguah to tap in at the back post.
However, with just 20 minutes remaining; Thistle found the equaliser.
Rebecca McGowan’s long-range effort was too hot to handle for Ramsay, and Docherty was on hand to rifle in the rebound from a yard out.
With the final few minutes ticking away, Motherwell were on the front foot in search of a late winner. Despite rattling the crossbar twice, the Thistle defence stood resolute to settle for a point.
‘Well will be frustrated to have not taken all three points but will be encouraged by their impressive display.
Motherwell controlled the vast majority of the game and will look to build a positive run of form with a victory over Hamilton in the Lanarkshire derby next week.
