A brace from Ellie Kane and a first goal for the club from Ami Robertson gives Queen's all three points in Edinburgh and moves the Spiders back to top of the Scottish Power WPL-2 league table
Craig Joyce made three changes to the starting line-up that faced Livingston the previous week. Following their impactful contributions from the bench last weekend, Robin Gallagher and Monica Harty found themselves in the starting XI, while Nicole Cairney and Ami Robertson took up positions on the bench. Notably, Lucy Inman made her senior debut as she started in between the sticks for the first time. It was also a special day for Ciara Bonner, who notched her 25th consecutive start for the club.
After a scrappy opening few minutes, Queen’s Park found their rhythm and carved out the first opportunity of the game at the 9-minute mark. Megan Quigley seized upon a loose ball in the defensive third, deftly transferring it to Abby Callaghan. Callaghan’s clever interplay with Robin Gallagher released Monica Harty on a goal-scoring mission. Harty fired a shot towards the target, but it narrowly missed the post.
However, the Spiders didn’t have to wait long to celebrate a breakthrough, as they struck just three minutes later. Darcy Molley initiated the sequence, sending the ball to Monica Harty on the wing. Harty, with a burst of pace, cut inside and released the ball to Ellie Kane, who, in turn, threaded a pass for Callaghan out wide. Callaghan delivered a pinpoint cut-back towards the penalty spot, teeing up Kane, who rifled a powerful shot into the top corner, handing the Spiders the lead.
A mere five minutes later, Queen’s Park posed another threat as Leah Daly gained possession in the middle of the park, serving a delightful ball over the top for Megan Quigley on the left. Quigley nodded the ball across to Callaghan, who struck it first time. Unfortunately, her effort veered just wide of the target.
The remainder of the half unfolded rather uneventfully. Queen’s Park confidently maintained possession, moving up the pitch well, but they couldn’t create any clear opportunities. On the other hand, Boroughmuir found it tough to penetrate the steadfast Spiders’ defence.
Half-Time: Boroughmuir Thistle 0-1 Queen’s Park
The second half kicked off much like the latter part of the first, with Queen’s Park dictating possession for extended spells of the game. However, it was Boroughmuir who made the breakthrough, with their first real chance coming in the 50th minute. The ball pinged around the midfield after a Thistle clearance, ultimately finding Deborah McLeod. She directed the ball out wide to Beth MacLeod, who then sent Sydney Hinchcliffe on a run towards the goal. Hinchcliffe’s strike was met by an advancing Lucy Inman, who made a crucial save to deny the Boroughmuir striker.
A mere two minutes later, Thistle struck once again as Abigail Varghese seized control of the ball in midfield. She launched a long pass to the feet of Beth MacLeod on the left flank. MacLeod relayed the ball to Hinchcliffe, who attempted to guide the ball into the bottom corner. However, Lucy Inman stood her ground and pulled off a great save to maintain Queen’s Park’s lead.
Queen’s Park gradually regained control of the game, and they came tantalisingly close to doubling their lead in the 65th minute. Monica Harty picked up the ball in midfield and distributed it to Darcy Molley. Molley advanced up the park before releasing Harty on the wing. Harty delivered a superb cross into the box, met by Callaghan, whose strike was brilliantly saved by Beth Rennie in the Boroughmuir goal.
For the next 10 minutes, the game took on a scrappy nature, with neither side maintaining prolonged spells of possession. Queen’s Park introduced a few substitutes in the 73rd minute, with Cairney, Craig, and Robertson replacing Harty, Gallagher, and Callaghan. These changes had an immediate impact, as just over a minute later, the Spiders increased their lead. Megan Quigley intercepted a Boroughmuir pass in midfield and raced up the right flank, leaving two Thistle defenders trailing. Quigley reached the by-line before cutting the ball back to Ami Robertson, who calmly tapped the ball home from six yards, scoring with her first touch of the game.
The Spiders came close to extending their lead further in the 84th minute as Megan Quigley executed an exceptional challenge in midfield to regain possession. The ball fell to Darcy Molley, who delivered an excellent pass over the top to Ellie Kane. Kane expertly evaded her marker and created space for a shot. She struck the ball across the goal, but unfortunately her effort grazed the outside of the post.
Boroughmuir sensed an opportunity to get back into the game as they launched a counterattack from a Queen’s Park corner. Beth Rennie sent a long ball that bounced around in midfield before being cleared by Fiona Gibson. The ball landed at the feet of Samantha Duncan, who was halted by the Spiders’ defence, but the ball rebounded to Beth MacLeod on the left wing. MacLeod attempted a shot, but her effort was matched by Lucy Inman in the Queen’s Park goal.
The Spiders eventually secured the third goal they had been relentlessly pursuing in the 92nd minute. Emma Craig latched onto a clearance in midfield and played the ball to Ellie Kane. Kane surged up the park, skilfully manoeuvring through two Thistle defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net in true Ellie Kane fashion. This marked Kane’s 14th goal of the season and ensured that all three points made their way back to Glasgow.
Full-Time: Boroughmuir Thistle 0-3 Queen’s Park
Boroughmuir Thistle: Beth Rennie, Kimber Goodchild, Iris Ramage, Caitlin Lynch, Olivia Murphy (Katie McCabe, 79’), Beth MacLeod, Abigail Varghese, Deborah McLeod (Mhari Smith, 52’), Fiona Gibson, Emily Arthur, Sydney Hinchcliffe (Samantha Duncan, 79’).
Subs not used: Annalies Verbist, Erin Sheehan, Toni Harkness, Seren McCulloch, Molly Orr-Love, Amy Lynch.
Queen’s Park: Lucy Inman, Taylor Davis, Ciara Bonner, Eleanor Smith, Darcy Molley, Leah Daly (Hannah Fulton, 90’), Robin Gallagher (Emma Craig, 73’), Megan Quigley (Rachael McConnachie, 86’), Monica Harty, Ellie Kane (Nicole Cairney, 73’), Abby Callaghan (Ami Robertson, 73’).
Subs not used: Chloe Gibney, Sophie McGoldrick, Caitlin McKee, Eve Pollock.
Starting Eleven
