Despite taking the lead, poor defending cost Queen's all three point against SWPL 2 League leaders Gartcairn yesterday at MTC Park
Head coach Craig Joyce made three changes from the side that face East Fife two weeks ago. Fitzsimmons, McDonald and Cairney replacing Fraser, Boyce and Chisholm.
Queen’s were looking to build on the 1-1 draw with East Fife. Gartcairn were looking to extend their lead at the top of SWPL2.
Queen’s started the game well on top. Within the first three minutes they had forced two corners and pinned Gartcairn back in their own half.
Gartcairn responded with a well placed header from a free kick from outside the box. Chloe Gibney dealt comfortable with the attack.
In the 12th minute Nicole Cairney broke through after excellent play by Abby Callaghan. But her shot was blocked by a Gartcairn defender.
In the 14th minute Queen’s took the lead. Eleanor Smith rose above the Gartcairn defence to head a cross from a corner into the net from five yards out.
After that opening goal, Gartcairn started to battle their way back into the game. They pushed higher up the park and put the Queen’s midfielders under pressure.
A poor passback three minutes from the interval almost allowed Gartcairn in. Chloe Gibney had to race from her goal to get to the ball before the Gartcairn’s Robertson could reach it.
Half-time: Gartcairn 0 Queen’s Park 1
Two minutes into the second half, Gartcairn levelled the score. A long shot, from outside the Queen’s box, came back off the bar and Garcairn’s Georgia McTeer was first to react with a spectacular diving header.
Queen’s responded with three minutes later, Abby Callaghan found herself thorough on goal only to see her shot rebound from the far post.
In the 63rd minute Gartcairn took the lead. A long through ball which split the Queen’s defence found Sarah Wardlaw unmarked wide right. She took one touch and fired the ball past the advancing Chloe Gibney into the net.
Queen’s, again, picked themselves up and battled to get an equaliser. They put Garrcairn under a lot of pressure in the final quarter of the game.
In the 81st minute Queen’s made their first substitution of the game replacing Gill for Daly.
In injury time Yasim Boyce replaced Nina Fitzsimmons.
Full-time: Gartcairn 2 Queen’s Park 1
Queen’s Park: Chloe Gibney, Nina Fitzsimmons (Yasmin Boyce 90’), Hannah Fulton, Eleanor Smith, Taylor Davis, Ellie Kane, Abbi McDonald, Nicole Cairney, Leah Daly (Jaya Gill 80’), Abby Callaghan, Lia Tweedie. Subs not used: Lauren Grant, Alex Fraser, Lauren Ray, Gill Sloey, Lauren Chisholm, Zoe Clark, Kyla Mackinnon
Gartcairn: Miller, Davies, McTear, Hawksworth, Moran, Holmes, Kerr, Wands, Robertson, Wardlaw, Brown.
Subs: Artbuckle, Howie, Hogg, O’Toole, McLure, Watt, Devine, Martin.
Starting Eleven
