Partick Thistle 2-0 Hibernian: Brian Graham pleads for date change for SWPL Cup final
- Published
Linzi Taylor's opener gave Partick Thistle a lead that they would never relinquish
Partick Thistle boss Brian Graham has pleaded with the authorities to change the date of the SWPL Cup final to spare him having to choose between that and playing for the men's team.
Thistle beat Hibernian 2-0 on Sunday to set up an SWPL Cup final meeting with Rangers on 23 March - the same day that the striker would be expected to face Arbroath in the Scottish Championship.
Linzi Taylor's free-kick and Rosie Slater's looping second secured Thistle's win against a Hibs side who played for more than half the game with 10 players after Leah Eddie's sending off.
But as it stands, manager Graham could miss the final.
"They have got to change it," the 36-year-old, who scored in Saturday's Scottish Cup win at Ross County, told BBC Alba.
"We play on a Sunday all the time. It is just not possible for us to play on Saturday at 3pm. There is no way I am missing the chance to get to lead my girls out at a cup final."
Thistle make history to ease into final
Sunday's game made history in more ways than one as Thistle secured their place in their first national final in front of a record crowd for the home side of 604.
Hibs started the brighter of the two sides and it was Ellis Notley who had the first decent chance when Michaela McAlonie's shot was blown towards her. However, her header was tame.
There were loud shouts for a Thistle penalty as Taylor went down under the challenge of Eddie.
The referee didn't think there was enough in it for a spot kick and the Thistle midfielder was booked for her complaints in the aftermath.
Taylor, though, broke the deadlock after 27 minutes. Her free-kick from just outside the edge of the Hibs box bounced in front of Nina Wilson before bounding into the back of the net.
The Thistle midfielder had an eventful first half and was on the receiving end of a tackle that saw Eddie pick up a second yellow card. The Hibs player could have no complaints.
And Hibs' misery was compounded when Slater netted Thistle's second early in the second half when her strike from the edge of the box looped over the fingertips of a diving Wilson.
Hibs had arguably their best chance late in the second half when Jorian Baucom's shot smacked off the crossbar.
But, in truth, Thistle rarely looked troubled and eased into March's final.
"Every year since I have been involved with them they have made history," Graham added. "I knew we were going to win today, I had that feeling.
"We saw the Partick Thistle fight in them today. The crowd were excellent and I think the girls really enjoyed it."
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