Brian Graham delighted as Partick Thistle take promotion fight to final day

Partick Thistle 5-0 Queen's Park: Jags go into final day of season one point behind Hamilton

Brian Graham was left “delighted” that his Partick Thistle side took the fight for promotion to the final day of the season with a 5-0 win over Queen’s Park at Lochburn Park.

Thistle took advantage of Dundee United’s defeat to Aberdeen to move into third, while Hamilton’s draw with Boroughmuir Thistle means they are just one point off second.

The Jags must now beat Dundee United on Sunday and hope that Hamilton drop points at home to Kilmarnock for them to join Aberdeen in going up to SWPL 1.

“Hamilton have dropped points and it goes to the final game, and after the other night we are delighted that we are still in with a shout,” said Graham.

“We will go full of confidence to Dundee United and hope to pick up the victory. Will it be enough, we just don’t know.”

Jade Gallon, Jade Gallon, Cheryl McCulloch, Cheryl Rigden, Cara McBrearty and Clare Docherty all hit the net against second-bottom Queen’s Park.

“I thought they were more at it today,” said the Partick Thistle manager, whose side had lost in midweek to newly-crowned champions Aberdeen.

“They passed it a lot better. That’s what we have been asking them in recent weeks and we got a few goals, probably should have been more but overall I am delighted.

“We started a bit sloppy if I am being honest with you, I said that to the girls at half-time. Once we got that first goal it totally settled us down and we were in full control since then.”

• Kilmarnock beat St Johnstone despite lack of goalkeeper

The game exploded into life when the excellent Gallon unleashed a blistering low drive from distance leaving Rachel Cadden with no chance in the Queens goal.

Queens Park were soon to be a player down as well with their inspirational winger Demi Potts forced off through injury, but they had a couple of chances to pull one back through Louisa Boyes and Helen McLeod.

McCulloch rounded the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 and Rigden finished Collete Fleming’s pass to make it three.

McBreaty headed in a fourth before Gallon hit a post, but moments later it was five when Docherty latched onto Gallon’s pass.

Anyone’s Game Player of the Match

Jade Gallon, one goal and two assists. Her experience shone through in a must win game for Partick.

Moment of the Match

Partick’s very vocal substitute Kim Murphy co-carrying rival Jemma Hughes off the pitch after the two had clashed in the Partick box. Touch of class from Murphy.