WOMENS' TEAM GRAB DESERVED POINT AT PARTICK

Dundee United grabbed their first point of the Scottish Building Society Scottish Women’s Premier League on Sunday with a 1-1 draw at Partick Thistle in a tale of two halves.

Despite going behind to an early Clare Docherty header, Jade McLaren equalised with twenty minutes remaining and United could have won late on but for some good goalkeeping and defending from the hosts.

Manager Gavin Beith made one change from last week’s narrow 4-3 loss to Aberdeen, with Chloe Clemison coming in for her first senior start for the injured Danni McGinley.

The hosts got off to the perfect start four minutes in when Docherty nodded past Aaliyah-Jay Meach.

Tammy Harkin and Stina Kleppe forced some great saves from Thistle keeper Jade Baillie; the latter’s effort the more troublesome for the stopper.

At the other end, Emma Craig was denied by Meach with the attacker proving to be their greatest threat throughout the afternoon.

On the half-hour mark, Craig’s free-kick was deflected wide before United were on the attack again with Robyn Smith finding her shot fumbled by Baillie but gathered at the second attempt.

Gavin Beith sent his side out for the second half in a positive manner with Harkin having her free-kick saved before another ambitious long-range strike flew inches over the bar.

In the 52nd minute Craig was once again on the prowl with a free kick of her own from 25 yards but couldn’t keep the effort down and it sailed over.

Steffi Simson was proving to be a handful upfront and following some great work by the teenager she found Smith whose shot could only find the side netting.

Thistle was still dangerous and went on the attack straight from the goal kick and found the side netting themselves through Docherty.

United made their only change just before the hour mark as Neve Guthrie came on for Erin Ross and she was pivotal in creating a great chance in the 63rd minute but Harkin could only fire over the bar.

Seven minutes later Beith’s side got a deserved equaliser; another Harkin corner was sent into the danger zone and Jade McLaren rose highest to power a header home via the woodwork.

This gave the visitors a new lease of life and they moved forward in search of a late winner. McLaren could have had a second with twelve minutes remaining when Kleppe’s free-kick found her. She chested the ball down but it was half-cleared before she could get a shot away. As the ball was played back in and McLaren managed to get a shot on goal but was denied by Baillie.

Meach was called into action shortly after as substitute Suzanne Mulvey’s free-kick looked destined for goal but for an excellent save by the Scotland U19 keeper.

Another Thistle substitute Athina Varnana came even closer as the ball came to her with the goal gaping; the debutant could only watch as she sent it over the bar.

The last clear cut opportunity of the game fell to Harkin as she ran onto an enticing ball from Smith but she took a heavy touch and the effort was blocked by a defender.

In summary, a draw was possibly a fair result in difficult conditions however United might also feel they could have taken all three points with a little bit of furtune.

United’s next fixture is also their first home game of the season when they host Stirling University next Sunday at the Regional Performance Centre, (kick off TBC).

Partick Thistle: Baillie, Smith, Murphy (Varnana 71), Falconer, Fleming, Docherty (Gallacher 81), McGlashan, Craig (Mulvey 58), Gallon McAvoy 82), Rigden, Ross

Subs not used: Hawksworth, Murray, Andrews (gk)

Dundee United: Meach, McLaren, Ross (Guthrie 56), Smith, Napier, Foote, Simson, Burns, Harkin, Kleppe, Clemison

Subs not used: Robbie, Carter, McMillan, Kern, McCallum, Robson