Sunday, 23rd February 2020
Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 – Matchday One
Queen’s Park 2–4 St Johnstone (Jayne Cameron 65’, Ashley McKeown 80’; Nicole Carter 8’, Ellie-May Cowie 28’, 42’, Rachel Todd 60’)
A double from Ellie-May Cowie and further goals from Nicole Carter and Rachel Todd secured the three points for the Saints after Jayne Cameron and Ashley McKeown brought Queen’s Park back into play in the second-half.
FIRST-HALF
Mark Kirk made four changes from last weekend’s defeat to Hamilton Academical, with Niamh Mullen, Katie McDonald, Lauren Coleman and Frankie Fern replacing Samantha Davies, Monica Anderson, Hannah Fulton and Frances Hopgood.
In the first-half, it was all St Johnstone. Nicole Carter opened the scoring for the Saints in the 8ᵗʰ minute, with a stunning long-range effort that flew into the top corner of Toni Harkness’ net. Less than one minute later, Rachel Todd tried her luck from distance, but Harkness was able to make the save. Queen’s Park put the visitors under some pressure when they were awarded a free-kick in the 19ᵗʰ minute; however, the long-range effort failed to trouble Rebecca Cameron in the St Johnstone goal. Jayne Cameron then made a couple of great tackles to deny the visitors as they threatened on the counter-attack.
In the 28ᵗʰ minute, Ellie-May Cowie finally made it 2–0 to St Johnstone with a composed finish from close-range. The hosts then won a couple of corners in quick succession, but nothing came from either. In the 30ᵗʰ minute, Katie McDonald tried her luck from distance, but her shot flew over the bar. Eight minutes later, Lauren Ray played a great ball from the right wing into the path of Frankie Fern, but the ball was slightly ahead of Fern and she could not get a foot on it.
Cowie, who had been a constant threat to the Spiders defence, scored her second of the match just before half-time, when she slotted home from close-range following a great ball in by Carter, to ensure the Saints went into the break with a comfortable 3–0 lead.
HALF-TIME: QUEEN’S PARK 0–3 ST JOHNSTONE
SECOND-HALF
Queen’s Park made a positive start to the second-half as they sought a way back into the match, but were indebted to goalkeeper Toni Harkness, who pulled off a couple of saves to deny the visitors a fourth.
St Johnstone eventually got their fourth of the afternoon, though, with Rachel Todd firing in after 60 minutes. One minute later, Mark Kirk made two substitutions, with Hannah Fulton and Sarah Wardlaw replacing Katie McDonald and Frankie Fern. In the 65ᵗʰ minute, a free-kick was headed in by Queen’s Park captain Jayne Cameron, making the score 4–1.
In the 70ᵗʰ minute, Harkness went down injured after a collision with a St Johnstone player. Mark Kirk made two more substitutions, with Samantha MacPherson and Frances Hopgood replacing Niamh Mullen and Helen McLeod. In the 80ᵗʰ minute, Ashley McKeown, who also scored last week against Hamilton, made it 4–2 with a calm finish from close-range.
Both sides had opportunities to add to their score in the last ten minutes, but both defences held firm. Notably, Ellie-May Cowie had a chance to complete her hat-trick in the 90ᵗʰ minute, when she found herself one-on-one with the Queen’s Park goalkeeper, but her effort was saved, and the referee blew the whistle a minute later.
Queen’s Park are back in action on Thursday, 27ᵗʰ January when they travel to the Hummel Training Centre to face Rangers in the SWPL Cup.
FULL-TIME: QUEEN’S PARK 2–4 ST JOHNSTONE
QUEEN’S PARK STARTING XI: Toni Harkness (GK), Holli Coleman, Niamh Mullen, Lauren Ray, Jayne Cameron (C), Helen McLeod, Katie McDonald, Lauren Coleman, Ashley McKeown, Frankie Fern, Mhairi Fyfe | SUBSTITUTES: Samantha Davies, Kirsty MacDonald, Sarah Wardlaw, Hannah Fulton, Frances Hopgood, Samantha MacPherson, Christine MacKinnon
ST JOHNSTONE STARTING XI: Rebecca Cameron (GK), Sophie Milligan, Rebecca McGowan, Nicole Carter, Hannah Clark, Ellie-May Cowie, Rachel Todd, Rebecca Foote, Morgan Steedman, Jade Greenshields, Laura Wight | SUBSTITUTES: Leah Fleming, Niamh Fellenger, Emma MacLean, Emma Flynn-Scott, Fern Newbigging, Lauren Rabbitte
