By Gethin Thurlow (22/8/25)
Partick Thistle 0-5 Hibernian
Above: Tiree Burchill’s shot is saved by Partick keeper Jeni Currie Photo: HibernianWomen on X
Braces from newbie Tiree Burchill and Eilidh Adams helped Hibs eased past Partick Thistle to move top of the SWPL, piling pressure on the other contenders to keep up with them; before attention turns to their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night.
Hibs manager Grant Scott had an eye on Wednesday’s Champions League action with his team selection, as Ellis Notley came into the defence for Siobhan Hunter and young prodigy Tiree Burchill got her first start on the wing, while Kirsty Morrison moved inside to replace Michaela McAlonie.
The hosts pressed Hibs’ defence in a way the Edinburgh side is not used to and were able to gain the ball in some compromising positions. This was a good tactical decision, especially as that defensive configuration weren’t used to passing the ball out together as a unit. While they could not test Schumacher in the Hibs goal, it showed positive intent, while at the same time not committing too many players forward and risking the defence being left exposed.
As the game settled down, it was Hibernian that dominated possession and were able to hold that possession around the Thistle box. However, Dave Elliot’s team stayed disciplined in defence. The wingers held back to double-up alongside the fullbacks as they tried to limit the crossing threat of Hibs. The centre backs were also able to draw several fouls whenever balls did make their way into the box.
As half time approached, it looked as though questions would need to be asked of the Hibees’ attack. With Adams, Bowie and McAlonie all part of that crucial title-winning front four missing out for various reasons, their replacements were failing to make a mark up to this point.
In injury time though, Rosie Livingstone got past Hannah Robinson for the first time, sprinting to the by-line before rolling the ball across the goal to Burchill, who smashed it home for her first goal for the club. Just as the action looked over for the half, the ball once more fell to Burchill at the edge of the penalty area and she emphatically slid the ball into the bottom right corner past Currie in the Partick net and put Hibernian well in control of the game.
The freedom of that lead combined with the extra space provided by a more attacking Partick side allowed Hibs to really dictate the game, attacking in the way they wanted to. While the clinical edge was not there for most of the night, they began to dominate Thistle’s backline at this point.
The Introduction of Caley Gibb and Tegan Bowie on the left-hand side improved things further for the Hibees, as they both sat wider on the pitch than the starters in their position had, giving Hibs a different angle to attack from and introducing a new challenge to Partick. This came to fruition in the third goal, as Bowie played Gibb in, who was approaching the goal from wide on the right, which gave her the space and time to compose herself and slot the ball past Jeni Currie.
In the 88th minute, a delightful run from Gibb allowed her to pick out Adams in the middle who subsequently headed in and got off the mark for the season. The final goal was peak Grant Scott-Hibs, as Ciara Grant played a perfect outside-the-boot through ball to Adams, who was somehow able to pick out the corner with her first touch to while sliding to the floor to secure a two-minute brace.
Grant Scott will have some thinking to do as Hibernian fly out to Cyprus for a Champions League qualifying appearance on Wednesday. Caley Gibb and Tegan Bowie added a new dimension to the left when they were brought on, while striker Adams staked her claim for a start in a rare off day for Kathleen McGovern, who just never got into it enough. Overall, the main aim for Scott was getting through with three points and as healthy a squad as possible. This all worked out for he will be very satisfied with her it turned out.
Dave Elliot can reflect on what was a perfectly executed first half game plan; until injury time in the first half of course. While it did not work out for them after that point, competing with a professional team in that manner shows that this team can adapt and be solid under new management, so they can still take some confidence.
Teams: PARTICK THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Currie, Robinson, King, Fraser, Handley, Falconer (c), Love, Ferguson, Rennie, Donaldson, Tweedie. Substitutes: Bates (for Ferguson 53’), English (for King 61’), McAllister (for Donaldson 61’)
HIBERNIAN (4-3-3): Schumacher, Boyle (c), L Taylor, Notley, Papadopoulos, Reilly, Burchill, Grant, Morrison, McGovern, Livingstone. Substitutes: Bowie (for Livingstone 66’), Gibb (for Papadopoulos 66’) Adams (for McGovern 71’) Doran-Barr (for Boyle 75’), Ramsey (for Morrison 75’).
Scorers: Burchill 45+1’, Burchill 45+3’, Gibb 73’, Adams 88’, Adams 89’.
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