A 41st minute goal by Monica Harty was enough to give Queen's all three points and open up a ten point gap at the top of ScottishPower PL2 in a closely fought game against Kilmarnock at New Tinto Park on Sunday.
Craig Joyce made 3 changes to the starting XI from the side that saw off Stirling University in the last outing. Lucy Inman replaced Lauren McGregor between the sticks, while Emma Craig and Taylor Davis were back in from the start. Leah Daly and Elise Macara dropped to the bench.
It would be The Spiders who would have the first clear chance. Ellie Kane was on the end of a header from Emma Craig and played the ball across the six-yard box for Abby Callaghan. Callaghan took the shot first-time and it was heading straight into the net had it not been for a terrific save from Currie in goal for Kilmarnock.
Shortly after, Currie was called into action again. Nicole Cairney found herself on the ball in a wide area with plenty of time. Cairney delivered a dangerous ball into the box. Reese McCulloch’s went to clear but an unfortunate bounce saw her clearance fly towards her own goal, but Currie was there to prevent The Spiders getting the breakthrough.
Ellie Kane then tried her luck with a shot from distance, but again, Currie was more than a match to the effort and another fine save diverted Kane’s strike away from the top corner of the goal. From the resulting corner, Cairney was able to poke the ball towards goal but the Killie keeper continued her spirited performance and kept the ball out of the net. The ball then somehow landed at Emma Craig’s feet. Her strike cannoned off the woodwork, and off Currie before eventually being cleared by Lauren Raeside.
Queen’s Park now had a firm grip on the game and the pressure eventually paid dividends on the 41st minute. Megan Quigley set Abby Callaghan for a strike at goal from the edge of the box. Currie did well to keep the effort out, but her save only went as far as Monica Harty who had timed her run to perfection to open her Queen’s Park account and give her side the lead.
Half-time: Queen’s Park 1-0 Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock started the quicker of the sides in the second-half. Lucy Inman was called into action early on as Dionne Brown laid the ball off for Georgia Crooks to strike from distance, but the young goalkeeper did well to tip the ball over the bar.
As the game continued, both sides struggled to create any notable chances as possession of the ball was continually turned over. That said, Queen’s Park were able to limit the visitors to possession in their own half. With 25 minutes left to play, the challenge of maintaining their goal advance was made more difficult for The Spiders as Megan Quigley was shown a red card following on altercation with Dionne Brown in the aftermath of a tackle.
The remainder of the game could have been very tricky for Queen’s Park to see through. The introduction of Sophie McGoldrick and Leah Daly from the bench saw a change of tactic as the home side proceeded to control the match despite the numerical disadvantage. As the minutes ticked away, The Spiders were able to keep the ball in Kilmarnock’s half, however, were unable to carve out any chances to put the match beyond any doubt.
In the end, Harty’s first-half goal was enough to give The Spiders the deserved 3 points in what was a competitive match, with Queen’s Park now opening up a 10 point gap between themselves and 2nd in the ScottishPower WPL2.
Full-time: Queen’s Park 1-0 Kilmarnock
Queen’s Park: Lucy Inman, Taylor Davis, Ciara Bonner, Nicole Cairney (Rachael McConnachie 90’), Ellie Kane, Abby Callaghan (Sophie McGoldrick, 70’), Monica Harty (Leah Daly, 75’), Darcy Molley, Megan Quigley, Emma Craig, Eleanor Smith. Subs not used: Rachel Ross, Rachael O’Neill, Trialist A, Robin Gallagher, Trialist B, Elise Macara.
Kilmarnock: Ellie Currie, Lauryn Reside, Reese McCulloch, Laura McLaughlin, Kayla Healy (Kerri Halpin, 75’), Yasmin Boyce (Kirsty Munro, 70’), Georgia Crooks, Abby Robinson, Kelsy Crainie, Dionne Brown (Mhairi Crooks, 75’), Jordan McLintock (Arwen O’Brien, 70’). Subs not used: Holly Kerrigan, Megan Samson, Eve Watt.
Starting Eleven
