The Maruawai Midwives Wanderers lost 4-3 in the top-of-the-table clash.
The Southland Football Kolk Cup game was played in Gore.
Coach Mel McKenzie said the team started well, when wing Liv Brown drove a cracking shot from near the sideline into the goal.
"We pushed up quite quickly ... and Thistle were napping.
"We got them on the back foot."
After the goal, however, the players took some time to settle and shortly after Thistle equalised.
In the second half the Wanderers seemed to have the majority of possession, despite Thistle finding the back of the net more often, McKenzie said.
"I thought we had them under the pump in the second half."
She was pleased with the way the team defended and attacked.
"We got the ball forward and we had some beautiful crosses in."
There was also good passing between the players to outmanoeuvre Thistle.
"We were unfortunate not to be able to take a win.
"Even a draw would have been good."
Goalkeeper Grace Milliken and backs Emma Bassett and Amy van der Straaten defended well and were Wanderers’ players of the day.
Brown scored two goals and Amiera Kortbaoui the other.
