Report: Partick 3 Hibs 2
Hibernian Women fall to a 3-2 defeat at Petershill Park.
Hibs would take the lead through an own goal forced by a Naomi Powell free-kick, but Carla Boyce equalised less than a minute later. Imogen Longcake put the hosts ahead before Boyce pounced again in the second half. Jorian Baucom grabbed her 25th goal of the season late on.
Grant Scott made two changes to the side that lost narrowly to Celtic last week. Michaela McAlonie made her first start since early March, whilst Kirsty Morrison also returned to the forward line.
With 10 minutes gone, Hibs would control the majority of possession but Thistle’s Carla Boyce would have the first shot; her header delivered safely into the hands of Katie Fraine.
The away side would have their first opportunity not long after, however. Chasing the SWPL1 top goalscorer award, Baucom had an effort held well by Megan Cunningham after Tegan Bowie’s fantastic mazy run put her in a brilliant position to lay off to the American striker.
Baucom thought she put Hibs in front with a fantastic header from six yards but Cunningham pulled off a spectacular save from point-blank range. Baucom’s protests to the linesman over the ball crossing the goalline fell flat.
Looking to take advantage, Aimee Anderson nearly fired Partick ahead after a hasty counter charge, but Katie Fraine replicated the antics of her opposite number to deny the Thistle attacker.
With the game heating up, Poppy Lawson would be next up to try her luck – firing an impressive 40-yard effort off the topside of the crossbar.
Hibs took the lead in the 45th minute. Powell’s well-hit free kick from over 30 yards out clipped the bar before bouncing off Cunningham’s back and in to give the visitors a deserved lead.
However, the lead would not last as Partick equalised seconds after the restart. Carla Boyce produced an impressive shot to deceive Fraine and level the scoring.
After a slow start to the second half, Thistle would take the lead through substitute Imogen Longcake - with the number 27 firing past Fraine to turn the game around for the hosts.
The hosts scored a third shortly after 70 minutes as Carla Boyce notched her second of the game, drilling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Thistle continued to pile the pressure on, before a few changes freshened up Hibs' attacks and pulled Scott's side back into the game.
With the match looking to peter out, Hibs would pull one back with minutes remaining. Baucom scored to keep her impressive individual goal tally running, netting a low effort from outside the area.
However, the strike proved to be just a consolation as Hibs could not find a leveller in stoppage-time.