An 88th minute goal by Abby Callaghan put Queen’s Park back to winning ways in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Livingston at New Tinto Park on Sunday.
Back at their home turf, Queen’s Park extended a warm welcome to Livingston as league action resumed. Following two frustrating losses, the Spiders were brimming with determination to get back to their winning ways.
Craig Joyce made three changes to the starting line-up that faced Boroughmuir Thistle in the Sky Sports Cup the previous week. Darcy Molley, Leah Daly, and Nicole Cairney all returned to the starting XI, while Hannah Fulton and Rachael McConnachie took their places on the bench. Rachel Ross remained sidelined.
It was nearly a dream start for the Spiders, as a mere 40 seconds into the game, Abby Callaghan won the ball in the middle of the park and executed an excellent through ball, perfectly finding Ami Robertson’s path. Robertson charged toward goal, but Livingston’s Jessica Murphy did enough to unbalance Robertson as she struck the ball, which was ultimately saved by Gamrot in goals.
Two minutes later, Livingston carved out a chance of their own. Gamrot kicked the ball long to Anna Dickrov in the middle of the park. She laid it back to Courtney McAvoy, who sent the ball over the top for Erin Burns. Burns chased down the ball, but McGregor in the Spiders’ goal bravely charged out and executed a brilliant save to deny Burns.
The next half hour remained evenly matched, with both team working their way up the park and entering the final third. However, neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances.
Queen’s Park nearly broke the deadlock when Ami Robertson won back possession on the halfway line after a Livingston attack faltered. She distributed the ball to Ellie Kane, who then slipped it through to Megan Quigley, sending her on a goalward sprint. Quigley surged towards goal and unleashed a powerful strike, but her effort was matched by Gamrot in between the sticks.
The Spiders threatened once more in the 39th minute as Taylor Davis regained possession at the back and played it into Nicole Cairney in the middle of the park. Cairney turned and drove up the park before passing the ball to Ellie Kane up top who the laid the ball into the path of Megan Quigley on the right flank. Quigley took a touch before delivering an excellent ball into the box, which sailed across to Taylor Davis at the back post. Davis steadied herself before driving a shot toward the goal, but unfortunately, her effort narrowly missed the target, grazing the outside of the post.
Half-Time: Queen’s Park 0-0 Livingston
The second half couldn’t have started more unfavourably for Queen’s Park as Livingston made a breakthrough on the 46th minute. Anna Dickov emerged victorious in a congested midfield stramash before passing the ball forward to Shannon Mulligan. Mulligan, in turn, threaded a pass to Ashley Elizabeth, who calmly slotted the ball into the net from the edge of the 18-yard box, giving her side the lead.
The Spiders then shifted into a higher gear, moving the ball quickly and applying immense pressure on Livingston. Their tireless efforts almost paid off on the 50th minute when Darcy Molley intercepted a Livingston pass, setting up Megan Quigley. Quigley delivered an excellent ball over the top for Ellie Kane to chase down. Kane executed a superb run, outmanoeuvring Livingston’s captain and sending the ball across to Nicole Cairney. Cairney, with composure, teed up Ami Robertson for a strike from the penalty spot, but her effort was saved by Gamrot.
The match then descended into a scrappy phase for the next 15 minutes, with neither team able to maintain significant possession. Although Queen’s Park kept Livingston pinned within their own half for much of this period, they couldn’t carve out any clear-cut opportunities.
The Spiders’ relentless determination finally paid off on the 78th minute when Ellie Kane found the net for the 12th time this season. Ciara Bonner initiated the play by feeding the ball to Kane at the corner of the 18-yard box. Kane took a deft touch to evade her marker before rifling the ball into the top corner, levelling the score for Queen’s Park.
Just one minute later, the Spiders struck again. Taylor Davis seized on a loose ball on the left flank and skilfully manoeuvred past her marker before sending a precise cross into the box. While the ball seemed destined for Callaghan’s feet, a Livingston defender inadvertently deflected it into the path of substitute Robin Gallagher. Gallagher made no mistake and struck the ball into the bottom corner on the half-volley, propelling the Spiders into the lead.
Unfortunately, Queen’s Park’s advantage was short-lived as Livingston equalised in the 85th minute. Jessica Murphy launched a free-kick from the Livingston half, aiming it toward the 18-yard box. Courtney McAvoy managed to connect with the ball, directing it into the path of Lucy Brown, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.
Despite having restored themselves in the game, the Spiders refused to relent and continued their relentless push until they secured the winning goal on the 88th minute. Ciara Bonner orchestrated the play, feeding the ball to Ellie Kane in the middle of the park. Kane then distributed the ball to Taylor Davis on the left flank, who delivered an exquisite through ball into the path of Abby Callaghan. Callaghan expertly slotted the ball past Gamrot in goal, sealing all three points for Queen’s Park.
Full-Time: Queen’s Park 3-2 Livingston
Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Taylor Davis, Ciara Bonner, Eleanor Smith, Darcy Molley, Leah Daly, Nicole Cairney (Robin Gallagher, 75’), Megan Quigley, Ellie Kane, Abby Callaghan, Ami Robertson (Monica Harty, 75’). Subs not used: Chloe Gibney, Lucy Inman, Sophie McGoldrick, Hannah Fulton, Rachael McConnachie, Caitlin McKee, Eve Pollock.
Livingston: Schenai Gamrot, Sharon Hughes (Brogan Anderson, 65’), Natasha Frew, Courtney McAvoy, Beth McKay, Erin Burns (Lucy Brown, 46’), Bryony Ross, Ashley Fish (Jennifer Dodds, 81’), Anna Dickov (Fiona Boslem, 70’), Jessica Murphy, Shannon Mulligan (Shannon Todd, 70’). Subs not used: Anna Murray, Gemma Mason, Emma McFadyen, Brodie Clark.
Starting Eleven
