Queen's Park bounced back from last Sunday's Scottish Cup defeat by producing their best attacking display of the season at Stirling on Sunday with Ami Robertson hitting the net four times.
Queen’s Park returned to league action, heading north to face Stirling University for the third time this season. The Spiders have had the upper hand in previous clashes, securing a convincing 6-0 win in September and a solid 4-1 victory in November.
After an impressive show against Scottish Power WPL-1 side Partick Thistle last weekend, The Spiders were eager to carry that positive energy into today’s match.
Craig Joyce made three changes to the line-up which faced Partick Thistle . Rachael O’Neill, Nicole Cairney and Ami Robertson came into the starting XI in place of Eleanor Smith, Olivia King, and Megan Quigley, respectively. Chloe Docherty also returned to the bench, whilst Rachael Caddell featured in the matchday squad for the first time this season.
The Spiders couldn’t have asked for a better start as they made their mark just five minutes into the game. Darcy Molley drove up the park, sending in a superb delivery into the box, pinpointing Monica Harty. Harty expertly controlled the ball before passing it to Nicole Cairney at the edge of the box. Cairney, with remarkable footwork, danced past her marker, creating enough space to unleash a powerful shot towards the goal. The strike thundered against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down, behind the line, to propel Queen’s Park into an early lead.
The Spiders aimed to extend their lead just three minutes later when Taylor Davis sent the ball up to the feet of Ellie Kane. Kane took the ball on the swivel and delivered an impeccable pass out wide for Nicole Cairney to chase. Cairney struck the ball into the box first time, finding the run of Ami Robertson at the front post to stab home. However, Victoria Scarret in the Stirling goal came up with a solid save to deny Robertson.
In the 18th minute, Queen’s Park found the second goal they had been hunting for. Darcy Molley fed the ball wide to Nicole Cairney on the flank, and Cairney, in turn, delivered yet another superb ball into the box. Stirling University managed to clear the ball, but only as far as Molley positioned at the edge of the box. With exceptional technique, Molley unleashed a powerful strike that rattled off the inside of the post before nestling into the back of the net.
In a swift response, The Spiders found the net again just three minutes later. Emma Craig seized control of the ball in the middle of the park and released Nicole Cairney on the wing. Cairney delivered another fantastic ball into the box, finding Ellie Kane at the front post. Although Kane’s attempt was blocked by Stirling’s Megan Hope, the rebound found Ami Robertson, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, extending The Spiders’ lead to three.
The following 20 minutes were filled with relentless Queen’s Park attacks, keeping The Students confined to their own half. Numerous attempts from Kane, Harty, Craig, and Callaghan peppered the goal, however, Stirling’s Scarrat pulled off some great saves, keeping the deficit to three.
In the dying moments of the first half, Queen’s Park squeezed in one more opportunity as they earned a corner just before the break. Hannah Cunningham delivered a dangerous ball right on top of the Stirling goalkeeper. Ellie Kane rose to the occasion, nodding it home and propelling The Spiders to a comfortable 4 goal lead as they entered halftime.
Half-Time: Stirling University 0-4 Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park started the second half on the front foot, pushing forward and carving out opportunities. Early shots came off for Nicole Cairney and Rachael O’Neill, though they failed to pose a significant challenge to Scarratt in the home goal.
In the 50th minute, The Students broke on a counterattack. Rachel Hollywood picked up the ball in the middle, following a Stirling clearance. Hollywood played a quick one-two with Penelope Kidd before releasing Amy Davidson wide. Davidson waited for her teammates to advance up the park before threading the ball across the edge of the 18-yard box. Hollywood connected with the ball, but the strike soared over the crossbar.
In a swift retaliation, The Spiders played out from the back, advancing up the park and earning a corner in the process. Ellie Kane took charge of the set piece, delivering an enticing ball into the box. Monica Harty tip-toed at the back post, meeting the ball with her head and guiding it home to secure The Spiders’ fifth goal of the afternoon.
Queen’s Park continued to dominate, creating numerous opportunities in the ensuing ten minutes. Ellie Kane forced a great save from Scarrett with a powerful strike inside the box. Meanwhile, Nicole Cairney and Abby Callaghan ensured the Stirling goalkeeper remained on her toes, and Taylor Davis, along with Kane, tried their luck from distance.
In the 64th minute, The Spiders delivered another blow as they earned yet another corner. Ellie Kane reprised her role as the set-piece specialist, this time delivering the ball to the edge of the box where Ami Robertson awaited. With impeccable timing, Robertson met the ball on the volley, firing it low and into the back of the net.
A mere three minutes later, Ami Robertson struck once more, securing a hat-trick. The move began with Olivia King’s dynamic run from within the Queen’s Park half, progressing to the edge of the 18-yard box. She played the ball wide to Darcy Molley, who fizzed a delivery into the box. While Ellie Kane’s initial attempt was saved well by Scarrett, Robertson was on hand to knock the rebound over the line.
The Spiders were on fire as they netted once again, just two minutes later. Ciara Bonner played the ball wide to Monica Harty who cut inside before playing Olivia King in the middle of the park. King took a great touch forward to evade her marker before rifling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards, securing her first goal for the club.
In the 76th minute Queen’s Park scored yet another goal, and this time it was substitute Robin Gallagher’s turn to shine. Olivia King charged up the pitch once more, spotting Rachael McConnachie up top. McConnachie threaded a perfect ball through the heart of the Stirling defenders, finding Gallagher running beyond. Gallagher grasped the opportunity, coolly slotting it past Scarrat to widen Queen’s Park’s lead.
Just 8 minutes later, The Spiders hit double digits as Ami Robertson notched up her fourth of the afternoon. Queen’s Park earned a corner, and Robin Gallagher whipped the ball into the box. Robertson executed a smart run across the box, redirecting the ball towards goal. Although her initial attempt was blocked by the Stirling defender, Robertson capitalised on the rebound, rifling the ball into the roof of the net.
In the 86th minute, The Students seized an opportunity from a heavy touch in the middle of the park. Megan Armstrong recovered possession and charged towards the goal. She then set up Amy Davidson, standing alone in the 18-yard box. Davidson took a shot at the goal, but Lauren McGregor stood tall, maintaining her clean sheet.
Heading into the final minute of regulation time, Queen’s Park netted their penultimate goal of the game. Olivia King carried the ball up the park once more, releasing the ball wide to Nicole Cairney. Cairney skilfully shimmied away from her marker and chipped a clever ball into the back post where Rachel McConnachie was well positioned to head it home.
Rachael McConnachie wasn’t done yet, seizing another opportunity just seconds later. Ciara Bonner carried the ball forwards, delivering an exceptional early cross into the box. McConnachie, making a clever run in front of her marker, emphatically smashed the ball into the roof of the net for The Spiders’ final goal of the game.
Full-Time: Stirling University 0-12 Queen’s Park
Stirling University: Victoria Scarratt (Regan Ott, 65’), Naomi Sleator (Kirsten Palmer, 65’), Jennifer Cunningham, Rhianne Ferguson, Megan Hope, Lucy Jackman (Madison Walker, 52’), Emma Fairgrieve, Rachel Hollywood, Elise Salmond (Amy Davidson, 26’), Penelope Kidd (Megan Armstrong, 52’), Eve Somerville (Louise Reid, 65’).
Subs not used: Maddison Garrad, Jodie Ovens, Amy Hodgson.
Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Hannah Cunningham (Ciara Bonner, 61’), Taylor Davis, Rachael O’Neill (Rachel Ross, 61’), Darcy Molley, Emma Craig (Olivia King, 45’), Nicole Cairney, Abby Callaghan (Chloe Docherty, 65’), Monica Harty (Robin Gallagher, 65’), Ellie Kane (Rachael McConnachie, 65’), Ami Robertson.
Subs not used: Rachael Caddell, Leah Daly, Megan Quigley.
Starting Eleven
Post Match Interviews
Queen's Goals - Behind the goal with GoPro
Highlights
Ami Robertson - Four Goals
