Thistle suffer Cup loss to Glasgow City

Partick Thistle WFC 1 – 3 Glasgow City A dominant Glasgow City ran away comfortable winners in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round as Thistle were unable to hold on after Cara Henderson’s equaliser.  Lisa Catherine Evans had opened the scoring for City after lashing a shot from outside the box for past Jennifer Currie. Henderson’s equalised from the spot after the hour mark but were unable to hold out for long as Emily Whelan restored the lead before Natalia Wrobel’s quick thinking in front of goal put the tie to bed. Thistle had few chances, relying on quick counter-attacks to catch their opponents off guard but they were unable to test Lee Gibson. Lucy Sinclair’s wide header was arguably the closest the side came outwith the penalty, but her contributions off the ball made life difficult for their free-scoring Glasgow rivals on the day. With fifty-nine league goals this season, City will have been frustrated to only be a goal up at the break, having struggled to capitalise on their opportunities in the final third. Lisa Forrest came close to doubling the lead but her effort hit the crossbar to give Thistle a much needed lifeline. Patient in possession  City’s early goal was apt reward for their dominance in the first half. Pressing high up the pitch, they forced Thistle into searching balls, comfortably dealt with by Kimberley Smit and Claire Walsh. The pair looking just as much at ease on the ball as off it. Sat in front of the duo, Mairead Fulton allowed her side to circulate possession and find space down the channels, eventually rewarded with two goals which came from crosses down the right hand side. Despite a quiet afternoon for Brenna Lovera, unable to summon a repeat of her two goal tally in November, City’s variety in attack and strength in depth saw them come away deserved winners. Disappointing exit but Thistle continue to improve It is often difficult to take comfort from a cup exit but there were plenty of positives to take in defeat. Coming away with an upset was an unlikely proposition when taking into account only one of these sides is ‘professional’. Glasgow City scored twelve goals in the last two games but were held to just one until the 68th minute. The result, albeit not the desired one, is testament to their ability to turn their physicality into a defensive weapon and make life difficult for a side that currently sits top of the league. Despite only one in their last five, there is plenty to suggest that they can turn things around come Wednesday, as they welcome a Spartan side sat just three points behind. What the managers said:  Glasgow City manager Leanne Ross:  “That’s the objective at the start of the day, regardless of how we perform, to make sure that we win the game and get through to the next round. So we’re happy with that. “In terms of performance today, I think we can better in certain aspects of the game but we’ve done enough to get ourselves into the next round of the cup. “I felt comfortable within the game, I didn’t think [Thistle] offered too much on the ball. They were waiting for mistakes from our defenders or looking for a long ball to go in behind.” Partick Thistle WFC coach Ross Stormonth:  “We’ve played against a top side today in Glasgow City. Top of the league, they’re a very good side. I thought we frustrated them for large spells of the game and we had some really nice moments as well. “It’s tough to go out but proud of the girls today is an understatement, they were excellent.” “We showed today a sign that we can play. We’ve not really showed that as much as we would like all season but today and last week against Hibs I thought we were much much better.” Line-ups: Partick Thistle WFC: J. Currie, R. Slater, C. McCulloch , D.L. Falconer, C. Henderson, C. Boyce, A. Bulloch, C. Gibb C. Docherty, S. Cowan, T. Burchill, L. Sinclair Substitutes: A. Fearns, , R. Donaldson, H. Robinson, G. Gray, I. Longcake Glasgow City: L. Gibson, C. Warrington, C. Walsh, M. Fulton, B. Lovera, N. Wrobel, E. Whelan, A. Gambone, L.C. Evans, K. Smit, L. Forrest Substitutes: A. Easdon, A.J. Muir, J. Love, K. Lockwood, W. Forsblom, N. Kozlova, S. van Diemen, M. Foley Referee: Keiran Trayner  (Featured image credit: Craig Dunn)

Watt’s late winner in Paisley ends Motherwell slump

St Mirren 0 – 1 Motherwell Motherwell ended their three game winless run when Tony Watt’s added time winner punished St Mirren’s ill discipline. The striker used his experience to get away from his marker and catch a Lennon Miller free-kick to break hearts in Paisley after Alex Gogic was sent off. Ellery Balcombe’s fine save denied Jair Tavares early on, tipping the shot onto the crossbar. Not long after Aston Oxborough denied Conor McMenamin with an almost identical stop. The keeper denied the Northern Ireland international once again in the second half to ensure a clean sheet for his side. Both sides continued to push but Balcombe was on hand to deny Steve Seddon and Aspostolos Stamatelopoulos before the deadlock was finally broken. Discipline cost of the Saints when Gogic was given his marching orders after his dismissal with just minutes to go. The result means Motherwell open up a four point gap on the home side, sitting in fifth and seventh respectively. Attendance: 6,111 Line-ups: St Mirren: E. Balcombe, R. Taylor, A. Gogic, M. Fraser, S. Tanser, M. O’Hara, K. Phillips, E. Bwomono (J. Ayunga 84′), G. Kiltie (R. Idowu 67′), T. Olusanya (M. Mandron 68′), C. McMenamin Substitutes: J. Ayunga, C. Boyd-Munce, A. Iacovitti, R. Idowu, D. John, M. Mandron, E. Mooney, O. Smyth, P. Urminsky Motherwell: A. Oxborough, S. Blaney, L. Gordon, D. Casey, S. Seddon, E. Wilson (H. Paton), A. Halliday (S. Nicholson 83′), Jair Tavares (M. Kaleta 77′), L. Miller, A. Stamatelopoulos (M. Ebiye ’77), T. Watt Substitutes: K. Balmer, E. Ebiye, K. Hegyi, M. Kaleta, T. Maswanhise, S. Nicholson, S. O’Donnell, H. Paton, D. Zdravkoski

Killie added time penalty salvages point against Dundee United

Dundee United 1 – 1 Kilmarnock Kilmarnock’s struggles continued as they were held to a draw in Dundee, meaning they are now six games without a win. Sam Dalby continued his impressive form to give his side the lead only minutes in after replacement keeper Kieran O’Hara’s save landed at the striker’s feet. Kilmarnock equalised through Anderson’s spot kick in the 95th minute after Richard Odada gave away the penalty. Moult should have grabbed the first but his effort went fractionally wide and Dalby was unlucky to hit the post in the first half before his attacking endeavour was rewarded. Dundee United had a penalty claim denied after O’Hara collided with Dalby. Meanwhile Anderson had a chance for the visitors earlier in the game but his went straight into Jack Walton’s arms. Dundee United’s impressive season continues as they maintained their fourth place despite their status as the league’s promoted side. Attendance: 8,402 Line-ups: Dundee United: J. Walton, K. Holt, D. Gallagher, E. Adeboyega, W. Ferry, D. Babunski (R. Odada 84′), V. Sevelj, R. Strain, L. Stephenson (M. Thomson 95′), R. Strain, L. Moult (J. van der Sande 87′), S, Dalby Substitutes: K. Fotheringham, R. Graham, G. Middleton, R. Odada, D. Richards, O. Stirton, M. Thomson, M. Ubochioma, J. van der Sande Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie (K. O’Hara 60′), R. Deas (G. Mackay-Steven 87′), J. Wright, L. Mayo, F. Murray, C. Ndaba, L. Polworth (K. Magennis 87′), D. Armstrong (B. Wales 67′), B. Lyones, B. Anderson, K. Vassell (M. Watkins 87′) Substitutes: O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, G. Mackay-Steven, K. Magennis, R. Magennis, K. O’Hara, D. Watson, B. Wales, M. Watkins  

St Johnstone draw extends Dons’ winless run to five

Aberdeen 1 – 1 St Johnstone Leighton Clarkson rescued a point as Aberdeen’s draw with St Johnstone saw them cede further ground to Celtic. St Johnstone raced to an early lead through Makenzie Kirk’s opener just five minutes in before Clarkson ensured the spoils were shared. The visitors impressed in difficult conditions, Adama Sidibeh denied a winner by an excellent Nicky Devlin block. Jimmy Thelin’s men have struggled in recent weeks and had few chances on the night. Substitute Duk providing the assist but unable to drive his side to the three points. Aberdeen are now winless in their past five games and with two games in hand, Rangers could narrow the five point gap between the sides. Attendance: 15,880 Line-ups: Aberdeen: R. Doohan, J. McGarry (N.Devlin 46′), G. Molloy, S. Rubezic, J. Milne (T. Keskinen 71′), S. Heltne Nilsen (A. Palaversa 46′), J. McGrath, L. Clarkson, S. Morris (Duk 46′), K. Nisbet (V. Besuijen 77′) Substitutes: P. Ambrose, V. Besuijen, N. Devlin, Duk, T. Keskinen, A. MacDonald, A. Palaversa, T. Ritchie, E. Sokler St Johnstone: J. Rae, D. Wright, K. Cameron, J. Sanders, L. Neilson, J. Holt, S. Sprangle, M. Smith (A. Sidibeh 63′), B. Kimpioka, N. Clark, M. Kirk (G. Carey 88′) Substitute: G. Carey, A. Essel, F. Franczak, D. Keltjens, M. Kucheriavyi, J. McPake, A. Sidibeh, R. Sinclair

Shankland’s Dundee double lifts Hearts off bottom of the table

Hearts 2 – 0 Dundee Lawrence Shankland ended his goalless drought to help his side to strong win over Dundee. Two and half months after his last goal, the Hearts captain’s header arced over a static Jon McCracken and doubled his tally just ten minutes later. Musa Drammeh had a chance of his own by he could only send Blair Spittal’s cross wide in the first half. Dundee’s Oluwaseun Adewumi could not build on his impressive midweek outing against Motherwell, sending one of his side’s few opportunities sky high. Antonio Portales also unable to find the target with his header. McCracken was granted a get out of jail free card when his mishit clearance fell into the path of Drammeh, but was ruled marginally offside. Attendance: 18,737 Line-ups: Hearts: C. Gordon, J. Penrice, K. Rowles, C. Halkett, D. Oyegoke, M. Boateng, C. Devlin, B. Spittal (K. Vargas 76′), L. Shankland, M. Drammeh (J. Grant 76′), J. Wilson (A. Forrest 67′) Substitutes: Z. Clark, Y. Dhanda, A. Forrest, A. Forrester, J. Grant, Y. Oda, A. Salazar, M. Tait, K. Vargas Dundee: J. McCracken, B. Koumetio, A. Portales, R. Astley, F. Robertson (E. Ingram 46′), M. Sylla, J. McGhee, J. Mulligan (J. Vetro 84′), O. Adewumi (S. Murray  46′), L. Cameron, S. Palmer-Houlden (S. Tiffoney 61′) Substitutes: S. Braybrooke, T. Carson, E. Ingram, S. Kelly, C. Main, S. Murray, H. Sharp, S. Tiffoney, J. Vetro

Celtic dispatch Hibs to stretch points gap to nine

Celtic 3 – 0 Hibernian Celtic continued their undefeated league streak with a 3-0 win over an improved Hibernian side, moving nine points clear at the top of the table. Arne Engels met Alistair Johnson’s low cross to open the scoring after just six minutes. The hosts put the game to bed in the second half thanks to a Joe Newell own goal from a Luke McCowan corner before Kyogo Furuhashi’s deft chip sealed the three points. It could have been more Luke McGowan hitting the crossbar soon after the opener with Adam Idah guilty of not putting away an clear-cut chance. Hibernian’s had their chances, Newell blasting a good opportunity over the bar before Kasper Schmeichel denied Mykola Kukharevych in a one on one. The result leaves Hibs at the bottom of the table after Hearts defeated Dundee. Line-ups: Celtic: K. Schmeichel, G. Taylor, L. Scales, A. Trusty, A. Johnston, A. Engels (R. Hatate 73′), C. McGregor, L. McCowan (Paulo Bernardo 73′), D. Maeda (Yang Hyun-Jun 67′), A. Idah (K. Furuhashi 67′), N. Kuhn (J. Forrest 46′) Substitutes: C. Carter-Vickers, J. Forrest, K. Furuhashi, Paulo Bernardo, R. Hatate, A. Ralston, V. Sinisalo, Alex Valle, Yang Hyun-Jun Hibernian: J. Smith, J. Iredale, R. Bushiri, W. O’Hora, J. Obita, L. Miller (C. Cadden 83′), J. Newell (D. Gayle 82′), N. Triantis, E. Youan (J. Hoilett 82′), M. Kuharevich (J. Campbell 27′) Substitutes: M. Boyle, J. Bursik, C. Cadden, J. Campbell, J. Doyle-Hayes, D. Gayle, J. Hoilett, D. Levitt, N. Moriah-Welsh

Fluid Falkirk down Rovers

Falkirk turned in a dominant performance against a lacklustre Raith Rovers to move eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship. Alfredo Agyeman’s poked double and a Keelan Adams’ header made it five wins from their last six in what John McGlynn described as a ‘professional job’ from his side. The home side were not short on chances either, Calvin Miller and Ross MacIver unable to add to the goals. Raith struggled under the intensity of the press, guilty of losing possession in the final third as Jack Hamilton struggled to get the better of his opposing defenders. Injuries did not help either as captain Scott Brown and Fankaty Dalbo went off before half-time with Falkirk losing Gary Oliver just fifteen minutes in. Intensity from the off was the name of the game for the hosts as they continued to cause Raith no end of trouble down the left hand side, Ethan Ross and Sean Mackie repeatedly combining to create chances. Whilst they failed to add another in the first-half, they looked comfortable in possession and far more likely to add a second than to concede. Alfredo Agyeman, coming off the back of a Man of the Match performance against East Kilbride, made sure they did just that. The winger was electric as part of an attacking front line that interchanged with ease to drag the Rovers’ defenders out of position. After Adams had put the game to bed, Raith struggled to create any meaningful opportunities despite the efforts of substitute Korede Adedoyin. Now sat in eighth, they will look to bounce back in the upcoming derby against Dunfermline. Falkirk rotations deliver Like the T-1000, John McGlynn’s side seem to be able to take a variety of forms in attack. Agyeman is just one example of the way players are able to slot in and out of ‘an exciting team’ whilst maintaining their league leading standards. Ethan Ross and Calvin Miller were not able to grab goals themselves but they tired the Raith Rovers defence out to no end. The manager was equally pleased by the way the side performed despite losing Oliver so early on, with Ross MacIver putting in a strong showing on the night. It is far too early to tell who will top the table come the end of the season but off the back of tonight’s performance, Falkirk could certainly mix it with plenty of Premiership sides. Rovers fail to find spark A repeat of their victory over Falkirk in September was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors but they will come away thinking they could have had a better crack at it. Left in possession in their own half, Raith were unable to match the creativity of their opponents, Jack Hamilton comfortably dealt with my the defence. More worrying yet was the failure to take advantage of their set-pieces, a much needed outlet for goals when coming up against dominant sides. Losing two players early certainly didn’t help but by that point they had already gone a goal down and looking less threatening by the minute. Whilst they are teetering above the relegation play-off place, they are also level on points with three other sides and a win next week could see them shoot up to sixth. Attendance: 6,248 Line-Ups: Falkirk: N. Hogarth, S. Mackie, L. Henderson, L. Graham, K. Adams, A. Nesbitt (M.McKenna 81′), B. Spencer, E. Ross (C. Morrison 73′), C. Miller (F. Yeats 73′), A. Agyeman, G. Oliver (R. MacIver 15′) Substitutes: C. Donaldson, O. Hayward, R. MacIver, F. McCafferty, L. McCann, M. McKenna, C. Morrison, F. Yeats Raith Rovers: M. Dabrowski, L. Dick, E. Murray, P. Hanlon, S. Dabo (L. Stevenson 28′), R. Matthews, S. Brown (K. Montagu 24′), L. Gibson (J. Mullin 46′), S. Stanton (L. Jamieson ’67), D. Easton, J. Hamilton (K. David 67′) Substitutes: S. Byrne, K. David, C. Fordyce, L. Jamieson, A. McNeil, K. Montagu, J. Mullin, F. Pollock, L. Stevenson Referee: Graham Grainger

Motherwell collapse sees Dundee score three in seven minutes

A Lyall Cameron double helped Dundee secure an important three points to move into the top six as Motherwell fell to another defeat. The result means the visitors have now lost three in a row and sit only one point above seventh place St. Mirren. Dundee opened the scoring after Oluwaseun Adewumi curled a shot past Aston Oxborough after just fourteen minutes in. Motherwell levelled only five minutes later when Apostolos Stamatelopoulos bundled the ball in as the contest looked set to be a back on forth for the remaining time. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Stuart Kettlewell’s men as Scott Tiffoney regained the lead just after the hour mark, finishing a rapid counter. Within seven minutes Motherwell had conceded two more as a deflection allowed Lyall Cameron to stretch his side’s advantage Cameron then grabbed his second, truly putting the game to bed, Motherwell left to rue a lack of intensity on the counter. The side had chances but were unable to get the better of Jon McCracken, who has looked much improved since a difficult start to the season. Dundee control ball as much as scoreboard One of the lesser heralded sides of the league this season, Tony Docherty may have felt his side had a point to prove. They served all three on this occasion, putting to bed a Motherwell side that sat above them until tonight. Looking comfortable on the ball and with the lion’s share of possession, the home side were able to stifle any momentum the visitors attempted to build. Adewumi, Cameron and Tiffoney were terrific on the night but they are supported by the engine that is Mo Sylla, whose ability to keep the ball under pressure has been key to their build up. A mere blip or time to worry? At the start of the season, being sat in top sixth entering December would have been a position worth shouting about given the calibre of the league. However after a third loss in a row, some cracks are beginning to show in this Motherwell side. Not simply the defeats but the way they have gone down all too easily, with nine goals conceding in their last three games, which including a hiding at home to Hibs at the weekend. Perhaps too much pr With five more games to come in December, with two of those against the old firm, Kettlewell will need to get his side firing sooner rather than later. Attendance: 5,381 Line-Ups: Dundee: J. McCracken, B. Koumetio (S. Kelly 85’), A. Portales, R. Astley, S. Tiffoney (F. Roberston 69’), M. Sylla, J. McGhee, J. Mulligan, O. Adewumi (J. Vetro 90’), L. Cameron, S. Murray (S. Palmer-Houlden 69’) Substitutes: S. Braybrooke, T. Carson, E. Ingram, S. Kelly, C. Main, S. Palmer-Houlden, F. Robertson, H. Sharp, J. Vetro Motherwell: A. Oxborough, D. Casey, L. Gordon, K. Balmer, S. Seddon, E. Wilson, L. Miller, H. Paton (A. Halliday 68’), Jair Tavares (M. Kaleta 68’), A. Stamatelopoulos (M. Ebiye 68’), T. Watt (T. Maswanhise 75’) Substitutes: S. Blaney, M. Ebiye, A . Halliday, K. Hegyi, J. Koutroumbis, T. Maswanhise, S. Nicholson, D. Zdravkovski

Fair’s fair as Dundee hold Kilmarnock in even contest

Kilmarnock 1 – 1 Dundee Dundee remain in hot pursuit of a top six finish after holding an out of sorts Kilmarnock to a draw in an even contest. Lyall Cameron put the visitors in front after blasting home a clearance that had a landed at his feet. Tony Docherty will be disappointed his side could only hold onto the lead for three minutes when teenager Wales finished a clever lay off from Kyle Vassell. In truth the scoreline reflected the split in dominance with Dundee very much the stronger of the two in the first half. Robby McCrorie was tested early on at Rugby Park but Dundee struggled to break the deadlock despite their dominance. Simon Murray had an opportunity to put his side ahead with an open goal in front of him but missed the ball completely. Derek McInnes’ men grew into the second half, Gary Mackay-Steven kept out by a strong Jon McCracken save and was guilty of skying a golden opportunity not long after. There will not be any panic just yet for McInnes but his side, currently sat tenth, have now won just one of their last six games. Attendance: 5, 454 Line-ups: Kilmarnock: R. McCrorie, R. Deas, L. Mayo, J. Wright, F. Murray (B. Wales, 78), C. Ndaba, B. Lyons, G. Mackay-Stevens (D. Armstrong 75′), B. Anderson (L. Polworth 78′), K. Vassell (I. Cameron 87′), M. Watkins Substitutes: D. Armstrong, O. Bainbridge, J. Burroughs, I. Cameron, R. McKenzie, K. O’Hara, L. Polworth, D. Watson, B. Wales Dundee: J. McCracken, B. Koumetio, A. Portales, R. Astley, F. Roberston, L. Cameron, M. Sylla (E. Ingram 46′), J. McGhee, J. Mulligan (O. Adewumi 66′), S. Murray, S. Palrmer-Houlden Substitutes: O’Adewumi, S. Braybrooke, E. Ingram, S. Kelly, H. Sharp, S. Tiffoney, J. Vetro Referee: Ross Hardie  

First half onslaught sees Celtic cruise to victory against Ross County

Celtic 5 – 0 Ross County Bredan Rodgers’ men continued their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, a 5-0 victory over Ross County extending their lead at the top to five points. County faced an uphill battle from start but it was made all the more difficult when a Liam Scales header put the home side ahead after only ten minutes. Don Cowie looked on as Ross Laidlaw could little to prevent the first half flood of goals. Charlie Telfer blasted over the visitors’ best opportunity, a fortunate Callum McGregor guilty of letting possession slip near his own box. Luke McGowan was on hand to double Celtic’s lead before Paulo Bernardo’s goal but the game to bed before forty-five minutes had elapsed. It was again all too easy for the hosts as McGregor, with far too much space, blasted a fantastic shot from outside the box. Adam Idah dealt the final blow, some tricky footwork giving the striker space to send a rocket past a miserable Laidlaw who saw himself substituted after the break. Despite the humbling defeat, Ross County sit in eighth, just three points outside of the top six. Line-ups: Celtic: K. Schmeichel, A. Valle (G. Taylor 80′), L. Scales, C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston (A. Ralston 61′), P. Bernardo, C. McGregor (A. Engels 61′), L. McCowan (R. Hatate 70′), D. Maeda (Yang Hyun-Jun 46′), A. Idah, J. Forrest Ross County: R. Laidlaw (J. Hamilton 48′), E. Campbell, R. Leak, A. Wright, G. Harmon, J. Nisbet, C. Telfer, J. Brown (M. Efete 46′), J. White (S. Allardice 46′), N. Chilvers (V. Loturi 61′), R. Hale (A. Samuel 73′) Referee: Gordon Crawford Attendance: 58, 436