Lizzie Waldie’s late header was enough to see Hearts come out on top against Partick Thistle in a tense Scottish Cup quarter final at Petershill.
Eva Olid made two changes to the side that defeated Dundee United in the SWPL last weekend. Charlotte Parker-Smith replaced Rachael Johnstone in goal, meanwhile, Georgia Timms returned from injury in place of Danni Findlay.
Given what was at stake, it was perhaps unsurprising to see a fairly cagey opening to the match in wet and windy conditions in Glasgow.
Clare Docherty had the game’s first chance, but her long-range effort was a comfortable save for Parker-Smith.
Ciara Grant scored a stunning strike when the sides last met in December and she almost repeated the feat here after 15 minutes, but her swerving volley from almost 35-yards was magnificently tipped on to the bar by Megan Cunningham.
Up the other end, the home side had an excellent chance of their own just a minute later. Demi Falconer rose highest to meet Amy Bulloch’s free kick from the right and her looping header came back off the foot of the post and into the arms of a grateful Parker-Smith.
It continued to be a game lacking in real quality, but of the few chances created at both ends, the majority were coming from set plays. The final real chance of the half fell to Kate Mooney. At the back post, she was left completely unmarked, but could only volley over from an acute angle.
Olid made a triple change at the break to try and give Hearts a lift with Jess Husband, Danni Findlay and Katie Lockwood all introduced.
Husband was involved straight away after Docherty slipped for the home side, Hearts broke up field with Lockwood sliding in Brownlie down the right channel, she unselfishly squared the ball for Husband, but she couldn’t bundle the ball home at the back post.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, both teams were beginning to have an eye on extra time. Husband again came close 10 minutes from time when curling over after cutting in off the left wing.
Finally, the deadlock was broken four minutes from time, and it was no surprise to see it come from a set piece. Grant again delivered an inch perfect free kick and Lizzie Waldie put her head in amongst the boots to power a header past Cunningham and open the scoring.
The Jambos did everything right in the remaining few minutes and Partick couldn’t fashion another chance, as Hearts saw the game out to book their place at Hampden on the weekend of the 28th April.
Partick Thistle: Cunningham, Slater, Lawton, Falconer, Docherty, Henderson, Donaldson, Bulloch, Taylor, Boyce, Sinclair
Subs: Easdon, Hay, Adam, McAllister, Wright, Ferguson, McQuillan, Longcake
Hearts: Parker-Smith, Brownlie, Hunter ©, Grant, Rennie (Lockwood, 46), Timms, Waldie, Adamolekun (Michie, 89), Handley (J. Husband, 46), Mooney (Findlay, 46), Girasoli
Subs: Johnstone, Penman, Forsyth, Lockwood, Findlay, Michie, E.Husband, J.Husband
