Queen’s get a last minute winner to lift all three points in yesterday’s SWPL2 League game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Coach Craig Joyce made three changes from last weekend’s starting eleven against Gartcairn, with Lauren Grant, Lauren Ray and Yasmin Boyce replacing Chloe Gibney, Alex Fraser and Hannah Fulton.
Queen’s started the first half on the front foot, getting a couple of corners in the first few minutes. But directly from the second corner, in the fifth minute, Kilmarnock’s Middleton fired a long ball for O’Brian to shoot. Lauren Grant made the initial save, but the ball broke to Jackson who fired the ball into the empty net.
In the 18th minute Queen’s came close when Lauren Kay headed a cross from a corner narrowly over the bar from three yards out.
One minute later Yasmin Boyce fired in a shot from the edge of the box which tested the Killie keeper.
In the 24th minute Nicole Cairney beat two defenders before playing a ball through for Abby Callaghan to run onto. Before Abby could reach the ball the danger was cleared by the Killie keeper.
Queen’s continued to press for the equaliser with Nicole Cairney, Abbi McDonald and Abby Callaghan all having attempts on goal.
In the 38th minute Lauren Ray hit the post with a header from a corner.
Half-time: Kilmarnock 1 Queen’s Park 0
Queen’s started the second half strongly. Leah Daly was getting space down the left wing to deliver ball into the Killie box.
In the 57th minute Queen’s replaced Yasmin Boyce and Lauren Ray with Jaya Gill and Hannah Fulton.
Queen’s continued to pile on the pressure , looking for the equaliser. Nicole Cairney and Abby Callachan both coming close with shots on goal.
In the 68th minute Queen’s replaced Abbi McDonald with trialist.
Three minutes later the trialist was through on goal after a superb pass by Lia Tweedie, but was blocked by a defender before she could get her shot away.
In the 76th minute Queen’s equalised. Leah Daly was played down the line and crossed the ball into the Killie box for Abby Callaghan to head into the corner of the net from 8 yards out.
In the 81st minute Queen’s replaced Jaya Gill with Sarah MacLeod.
It was now one way traffic with Queen’s pushing for the winner. And it came in the forth minute of injury time. Taylor Davis broke up an Kilmarnock attack and immediately played the ball to Sarah MacLeod who with one touch played the ball wide to Abby Callaghan who also played the ball, one-touch, to the back post for trialist to knock the ball into the net to win the game. A superb winner.
Full-time: Kilmarnock 1 Queen’s Park 2
Queen’s Park: Lauren Grant, Leah Daly, Lauren Ray (Hannah Fulton 57’), Eleanor Smith, Taylor Davis, Ellie Kane, Abbi McDonald (Trialist 68’), Lia Tweedie, Yasmin Boyce (Jaja Gill 57’ (Sarah MacLeod 81’)), Nicole Cairney, Abby Callaghan. Subs not used: Chloe Gibney, Nina Fitzsimmons, Gill Sloey, Lauren Chisholm
Kilmarnock: McGregor, McCulloch, McLaughlin, Connelly, Middleton, Healy, McCance, Crooks, Robinson, O’Brian, Jackson.
Subs: Gray, Munro, Harty, Swan, Reside, McLean
Starting Eleven (and mascot)
