Glasgow City confirmed their place in the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup final after beating a stubborn Partick Thistle 2-1 at the Falkirk Stadium this afternoon.
An own goal from Cara McBrearty (9), coupled with strikes from Lauren Davidson (20) and Priscila Chincilla sealed the victory, with Cheryl McCulloch (12) replying for Partick.
Head coach Eileen Gleeson made four changes from last week’s win over Hearts, bringing in Peyton Perea, Vital Kats, Lee Alexander and Clare Shine into the starting XI.
A second minute Mairead Fulton corner almost opened the scoring in bizarre fashion, when it curled wickedly into the net and pinged Lauren McGregor’s crossbar.
City didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring, however, when another Fulton corner was turned via a deflection off Cara McBrearty.
Thistle would respond instantly though with a corner of their own though when McCulloch rose highest to McBrearty’s corner to head beyond Alexander in the City net.
It wasn’t long until Gleeson’s side regained the lead though, when yet another corner would result in a goal, this time Davidson blasting home from close range after Thistle failed to clear their lines.
Shine went close to giving City an even bigger lead going into half time, but her close range shot took a deflection which allowed McGregor to gather.
Thistle continued to be a threat though, with Taylor Hamill smashing a half volley just wide of Alexander’s goal.
Chinchilla went close just before the half time whistle, when she danced wonderfully between the Thistle defence, but her shot was palmed away by McGregor.
A feisty start to the second half saw both Jenna Clark and McBrearty shown yellow cards after a coming together, as both side’s battled for a second half breakthrough.
Shine had another chance to add the City’s lead on the hour mark when she connected to a delicious Davidson cross, but she was unlucky to see her shot saved.
The game was put beyond doubt 11 minutes from time when a quick City break caught Brian Graham’s side out, Fulutudilu taking full advantage of the space to cross for Costa Rican international Chinchilla to tap home from close range.
The victory means City will have a chance to defend their Scottish Cup title and will face Fran Alonso’s Celtic in the final on May 29th at Tynecastle.
Thistle: McGregor, Slater, McCulloch, Falconer, Docherty, McGlashlan (Murphy, 73), McBrearty, Taylor, Bulloch, Donaldson, Hamill (Fisher, 61).
City: Alexander, Molin, Walsh, Clark (Foley, 86), Agata Filipa, Davidson, Fulton, Perea (Farrelly, 76), Shine (Fulutudilu, 64), Kats, Chinchilla.