Five goals in the first half, saw Queen's through to Round 2 of the SWPL Premier League Cup on Sunday at New Tinto Park.
Head coach Craig Joyce made six changes from the team that played Stirling University two weekends ago; Caddell, Fraser, Ray, McDonald, Preston and Chisholm replaced by Gibney, Fitzsimmons, Davis, Callaghan, Daly and MacLeod.
In the opening minutes of the game Queen’s were getting the ball down and moving it about the pitch looking for openings.
However, in the second minute East Fife intercepted a Queen’s pass out of defence and played the ball through for Skivington to run onto and place the ball past the advancing Gibney into the net.
The Spiders bounced back from that initial shock to dominate the game. They looked a different side from the previous game with their passing and moving play.
Nicole Cairney was getting a lot of success down the right, being fed balls by Abbey Callaghan and Lia Tweedie. The only thing missing was someone to latch onto the final pass in from wide.
Sarah MacLeod, making her first start for Queen’s, had a great run into the East Fife box, beat two defenders before narrowly missing the near post with her shot.
In the 14th minute Queen’s were level. Lia Tweedie intercepted a pass out from the East Fife defence, played the ball to Yasmin Boyce, who in turn played in Nicole Cairney. NICOLE beat a defender and hit a superb strike from 20 yards out into the net.
Queen’s continued to press for more goals with Abby Callaghan and Yasmin Boyce, in midfield dictating play. Sarah MacLeod, wide left, was also causing the East Fife defence problems with her fast direct running.
Queen’s went ahead in the 23rd minute when Nicole Cairney played the ball through to Lia Tweedie. Lia slipped the ball inside for Abby Callaghan to shoot. Her initial shot was blocked by the East Fife keeper. ABBY was first to react to the loose ball and smashed the ball home before the keeper could react.
Two minutes later Queen’s added a third. Lia Tweedie was brought down at the edge of the East Fife box. LIA took the free kick and fired the ball into the far corner of the net.
Goal number four was added in the 29th minute when ELLIE KANE fired in a quick shot from the edge of the box which flew into the top corner of the net.
Half time: Queen’s Park 5 East Fife 1
Queen’s were nearly caught napping less than a minute into the second half but Chloe Gibney pulled off a great save to deny East Fife a second goal
In the 46th minute Queen’s made their first substitution of the game replacing Daly with McDonald.
A minute later Sarah MacLeod had a great chance when she was played in as a result of a superb move which was started by Ellie Kane inside her own half. Unfortunately for Sarah the ball flew over the bar.
Queen’s continued to find gaps in the East Fife defence with Abbi McDonald, Lia Tweedie and Sarah MacLeod coming close.
In the 65th minute Queen’s made a double substitution replacing Boyce and MacLeod with Preston and Mackinnon.
Five minutes from time Chisholm replaced Fitzsimmons.
Despite no more goals in the second half, Queen’s finished the game very strongly.
Perhaps more impressive than the five goals scored was the work rate and effort the players put in especially out of possession. As soon as the ball was lost the players re-grouped and fought hard to win the ball back.
Full time: Queen’s Park 5 East Fife 1
Queen’s Park: Gibney, Fitzsimmons (Chisholm 85′), Kane, Smith, Davis, Boyce (Preston 65′), Cairney, Callaghan, Daly (McDonald 46′), MacLeod (Mackinnon 65′), Tweedie. Unused Subs: Caddell, Fraser, Ray, Sloey, Fulton
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