Queen’s Park 1 Hearts 11

The Spiders entered the pitch at Ochilview Park to a guard of honour from their visitors as captain Ellie Kane and Head Coach Craig Joyce presented the ScottishPower WPL2 trophy ahead of their top-flight return opener against last year’s 4th place side.

Hearts muted the feel-good atmosphere as they converted their first chance of the game with less than a minute on the clock. After her side picked up possession early-on, Kerry Beattie found space and fired home from within the six yard box.

After six minutes, Hearts capitalised again. Lauren Wade worked her way down the left, before she cut inside and sent the ball past Lauren McGregor.

With a quarter of an hour played, Lauren Wade came close again as she fired a header off the inside of the crossbar. This seemed to fire Queen’s Park in to action as immediately after they had their first real chance of the game. Nicole Cairney regained possession in the final third and took a strike at goal, but her shot rose up and over the crossbar.

With 24 minutes on the clock, Queen’s Park netted their first goal of the season as Emma Craig headed the ball into the back of the net after Ellie Kane’s pinpoint corner, and with this, The Spiders were back in the game.

Shortly after, just before the half-hour mark, Eilidh Shore almost put Hearts further in front as she found space 12 yards out from goal, but Lauren McGregor was on hand to make a comfortable save as Shore’s shot was straight into her gloves.

Heart of Midlothian made it three with just over ten minutes left to play in the half. Carly Girsasoli played a great pass behind the Queen’s Park defence into the path of Lauren Wade, who had timed her run well perfectly. Wade had plenty of time to think about what she would do, but that didn’t affect the striker as she was able to calmly finish and give Hearts a two goal advantage once again.

The Spiders almost had the perfect reaction to conceding. A well played attacked saw Ellie Kane beat down on goal and her effort looked goal bound had it not been for a fantastic save from Rachael Johnstone.

Eva Olid’s side reinstated their two goal cushion courtesy of Olufolasade Adamolekun’s as the midfielder curved a shot into the top corner, leaving McGregor no chance.

There was time yet for one more chance before half-time. Lauren McGregor reacted quickly to the danger and done well to swart the danger from a Kerry Beattie from close range.

Half Time: Queen’s Park 1-4 Heart of Midlothian

Just like first half, Hearts were quick of the mark to find the net in the second half. Kerry Beattie doubled her goal tally for the afternoon three minutes into the second half as she collected a deflected pass before slotting the ball it away.

Minutes later, Monica Forsyth attempted to cut the ball into the box, but Lauren McGregor was once again on hand to thwart the attack.

Olufolasade Adamolekum was the next Hearts player to double their tally for the day as Hearts made it 6. Adamolekum adventured into the box tap the ball into the back of the net after Monica Forsyth had beaten two defenders before delivering the ball into the box.

Craig Joyce makes a triple substitution three minutes out from the hour mark – Abby Callaghan, Ami Robertson and Morgan Graham, making her Spiders debut, entered the pitch to replace Chloe Muir, Jordan McLintock and Ciara Bonner.

Queen’s Park managed to deal with the next few chances from the visitors comfortably as their intensity dropped slightly. Hearts substitute Georgia Timms attempted to get herself on the scoresheet, but her shot drifted over the top of the crossbar.

The Spiders found themselves progressing up the park as a good footballing move saw Megan Quigly carry the ball up the flank before passing in to Ami Robertson. Robertson picked out Nicole Cairney who was able to fire a shot towards goal, but it wasn’t enough to trouble Johnstone in nets.

Hearts turned up the heat once again as Jessica Husband scored her first professional goal in the 73rd minute. Moments later, claims of a penalty were waved away after Georgia Timms went down in the box. The referee ignored the claims and booked Timms for simulation.

Hannah Cunningham defended well to deny Hearts another chance on goal. This would be her last action of the game as, alongside Nicole Cairney, she was substituted off to be replaced by Millie Paton and Olivia King respectively. 17-year-old Paton making her senior debut in the process.

With eight minutes left to play, Jackie Richards picked up possession in the middle of the park before driving in-field and firing past the McGregor.

No sooner than it was eight, it was nine as, Richards doubled her goal tally as she tapped home from Joely Andrews cross.

Jackie Richards made it ten to the visitors after Jessica Husband delivered a cross from the right-hand side.

Despite the clock ticking towards the end of the match, Hearts were able to added their final goal of the game as substitute Georgia Timms was in the perfect position to tap into the net.

Queen’s Park now have ten days to reflect on the opening day defeat as the reshuffle of the Dundee United fixture means The Spiders next outing see’s them travel to Broadwood Stadium for another tough league action test against Rangers on the 21st of August, with an 8pm kick-off.

Full Time: Queen’s Park 1-11 Heart of Midlothian

Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Darcy Molley, Morgan Hay, Ciara Bonner (Morgan Graham, ‘59), Hannah Cunningham (Millie Paton, ‘80), Emma Craig, Megan Quigley, Nicole Cairney (Olivia King, ‘80), Jordan McLintock (Abby Callaghan, ‘59), Chloe Muir (Ami Robertson, ‘59), Ellie Kane. Subs not used: Rachel Wright, Rosie McQuillan, Elise Macara, Lucy Iman.

Heart of Midlothian: Rachael Johnstone, Lizzie Waldie, Erin Husband, Carly Girasoli, Lauren Wade (Kayla Jardine, ‘75), Lisa Robertson (Naomi Powell, ‘59), Eilidh Shore, Monica Forsyth (Jessica Husband, ‘59), Joely Andews, Kerry Beattie (Georgia Timms, ‘67), Olufolasade Adamolekun (Jackie Richards, ‘67). Subs not used: Charlotte Parker-Smith, Emma Ilijoski, Jessica Broadrick, Brodie Greenwood.