SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre and her staff could not have dreamed up a better finale to the organisation's first season. Two rounds of fixtures to go, starting today, and an unprecedented three sides can win the top tier title.
Celtic Park on Thursday night raised the bar to a new height. A record club crowd of 9553 to watch a game played on grass in a proper stadium, with many more tuned in to Sky Sports' comprehensive and informative coverage.
Last Sunday Celtic looked out of it when a flat performance led to them being held 1-1 by a Partick Thistle side who were only able to muster one outfield substitute because of injuries. Celtic used six during the game, including a concussion sub, and yet it wasn't until the final minute of time added on that Caitlin Hayes scored to salvage their title and Champions League hopes.
With that in mind, it would be presumptuous to assume the top three will all win their games against Thistle, Hibernian and Hearts today – the latter have already drawn with today's opponents Rangers twice. However, if it does happen the stage is set for a highly dramatic conclusion next Sunday.
The only certainty is that if Glasgow City win both their remaining games they will be champions. Rangers raised the stakes on Thursday when they announced they are switching next Sunday's game against Leanne Ross's side from Broadwood to Ibrox.
That means, as was the case at Celtic Park, that City will have almost certainly have a large and very vocal home support to contend with. The league leaders did very well in the first half against Celtic, but when the momentum changed the crowd played a big part in urging their players on to the 3-1 win.
The 9553 attendance was in stark contrast to the one for City's last home game seven days ago. Despite the prospect of closing in on a record 16th title, there were just 182 paying customers inside Petershill Park to watch the 3-0 win over Hearts.
These two crowd figures illustrate how difficult it is for City to compete against ambitious and fully professional Celtic and Rangers teams. If they can take six points from their last two games, and win the title at Ibrox, it will have been some achievement.
As mentioned here previously, the decision to split the league into a top six and bottom six has been a resounding success. However, while playing ten post-split games, as opposed to the alternative of five, is fairer because no side gets extra home fixtures, it has extracted a heavy toll.
Most of the sides have amateur squads with day jobs and education commitments on top of an unrelenting flood of games, including midweek ones. Even the professional clubs have found it hard going.
My understanding is that the SWPL board has agreed on compromises for next season. There will still be ten post-split games, but some midweek fixtures will be scheduled for earlier in the season and there will be no back-to-back midweeks as has happened over the last fortnight.
In that regard it has been a remarkable eight days for Brian Graham, who has had to manage a threadbare Thistle squad while also playing as striker for the men's team.
On Sunday he oversaw the near demolition of Celtic's title hopes; on Tuesday he scored the winning goal in the Premiership play-off semi-final against Queen's Park; the following night he was again in the technical area for the SWPL game at Rangers; on Friday he scored the first goal in the return against Queen's Park; and today he is back in charge of the women's team for the City game.
Such commitment helps to explain why Thistle have punched well above their weight in the SWPL. They play for each other and never give up.
There has been some adverse comment about the choice of nominees for the PFA Scotland player of the year awards, with only two clubs – Celtic and Rangers – represented. There are seven in total, with Celtic's Jacynta on both the main and young player shortlists.
The fact is, however, that the seven were chosen by their peers, who have played against them throughout the season. All SWPL players, and not just PFA Scotland members, were entitled to vote, with the important proviso that they couldn't nominate team-mates.
The awards dinner is being held tonight in Glasgow. As well as Jacynta, those being considered for the main accolade are her team-mates Caitlin Hayes and Amy Gallacher, with Rangers' Brogan Hay the fourth nominee.
