Queen’s Park 5 St Johnstone 0
It was a 5-star Spiders performance by Queen’s Park on Sunday as they continued their winning run with a convincing 5-0 victory over St Johnstone at New Tinto Park.
Returning home for the third clash against Perth Saints this season, The Spiders were looking to maintain a perfect record in their previous encounters. They secured a 4-1 victory in the last meeting at New Tinto Park, and Megan Quigley’s last-minute header clinched a hard-fought 3-2 win at Riverside back in November.
Craig Joyce made just one change to the starting line-up which faced Stirling University last weekend, with Ciara Bonner stepping in for Hannah Cunningham. There was also a welcome return to the squad for Elise Macara, and Lucy Inman reclaimed her spot on the bench following a short loan recall.
The Spiders came tantalizingly close to a dream start as Ami Robertson fed the ball back to Emma Craig right from kick-off. Craig passed the ball out wide to Taylor Davis who sent an enticing ball forward which caused confusion between the St Johnstone defence. Saint’s goalkeeper Cochran came out to collect the ball, but Laura Steedman knocked the ball past her goalkeeper towards their own goal. Fortunately for Steedman, the ball ran out just wide of the target.
In the 5th minute, Queen’s Park came close again as they played out from the back. Ciara Bonner played the ball forward to Taylor Davis who cleverly flicked the ball up the line for Ellie Kane. Kane chased the ball down and embarked on a powerful solo run from the halfway line, leaving her marker in the dust. Kane drove her way into the 18-yard box, casually weaving through three defenders before having a shot on goal which flew just wide of the target.
Despite maintaining their dominance and moving the ball well, The Spiders struggled to convert their advantage into goals. The elusive final pass seemed just wasn’t falling in their favour, preventing them from capitalising on numerous opportunities.
The first glimmer of a breakthrough for St Johnstone emerged in the 20th minute as Ellie Cowie intercepted the ball in the midfield. The ball found its way to Alix Moodie, who attempted a long-range shot, only to see it sail over the bar.
Finally, on the 22nd minute, Queen’s Park broke the deadlock. Abby Callaghan won the ball back from a Saint’s throw at the halfway line. Callaghan then played the ball up to Ellie Kane who, with a nifty wee flick, released Ami Robertson down the line. Robertson surged forwards before squaring the ball to Nicole Cairney running into the box. Cairney made no mistake and fired the ball into the side netting to put The Spiders ahead.
The 24th minute brought another close call for Queen’s Park as they nearly doubled their lead.
St Johnstone attempted to play out from the back, but Nicole Cairney was relentless in her press, forcing them to back to goalkeeper Cochran. Cochran’s kick fell directly to Ami Robertson who stuck the bouncing ball towards the empty net, but her effort narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Continuing the attacking threat, The Spiders found themselves in a promising position once again on the 30th minute. Emma Craig played a brilliant ball into the channel for Nicole Cairney to chase. Cairney carried the ball to the by-line before sending it across the box, targeting Abby Callaghan at the front post. Callaghan seemed poised to score, but a last-minute sliding challenge from Rebecca Robertson blocked her effort.
Finally, on the 35th minute, Abby Callaghan found the back of the net, doubling The Spider’s lead. Taylor Davis initiated the move by sending the ball forward, finding Ellie Kane. Kane, with a clever turn, set up Callaghan, who drove into the 6-yard box before calmly slotting the ball past the St Johnstone goalkeeper.
Half-Time: Queen’s Park 2-0 St Johnstone
The second half transitioned into a somewhat scrappy phase, with the ball mostly confined to the middle of the park, and both teams struggling to forge any significant chances. Despite attempts from Abby Callaghan, Ellie Kane, and Olivia Hurrell, none of the shots managed to trouble either goalkeeper.
Queen’s Park reasserted their dominance and found their rhythm again on the 63rd minute. Emma Craig picked up on a loose ball in the attacking third, distributing it out wide for Darcy Molley to deliver. Molley’s perfect cross found the head of substitute Megan Quigley, who expertly nodded the ball into the back of the net, scoring within five minutes of entering the game.
The Spiders intensified the pressure, keeping the Saint’s defenders on their toes. They moved the ball side to side, patiently waited for the opportune moment to strike. Ellie Kane and Ami Robertson managed to breach the defence, taking shots at goal, yet narrowly missing the target.
In the 74th minute, Queen’s Park notched their fourth goal, thanks to Emma Craig. The Spiders earned a corner, and Ellie Kane stepped up to deliver. Looping the ball toward the back post, Kane found Emma Craig, who soared above the rest to head the ball into the net, extending Queen’s Park’s lead to four.
In the 88th minute, Hannah Cunningham was fouled on her drive up the line, earning The Spiders a well-placed free kick. Darcy Molley stepped up for the set piece, delivering a delightful ball into the box. Amid the chaos, St Johnstone scrambled to clear, but only as far as Emma Craig at the edge of the box who nodded the ball back into the danger zone. The header found Ami Robertson in the 6-yard box, who headered it on once more into the back of the net.
Full-Time: Queen’s Park 5-0 St Johnstone
Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Taylor Davis (Hannah Cunningham, 69’), Ciara Bonner, Rachael O’Neill (Rachel Ross, 79’), Darcy Molley, Emma Craig, Monica Harty (Robin Gallagher, 79’), Abby Callaghan (Megan Quigley, 58’), Nicole Cairney (Leah Daly, 69’), Ellie Kane, Ami Robertson.
Subs not used: Lucy Inman, Chloe Docherty, Rachael McConnachie, Elise Macara.
St Johnstone: Roberta-Leigh Cochran, Ellie MacIver (Mariluz Sanchez, 70’), Nicole Carter (Elvie McLean, 45’), Ellie Cowie, Niamph Irvine, Alix Moodie, Scarlett Brady (Jodie Malcolm, 45’), Megan Burns, Olivia Hurrell (Eirinn McCafferty, 70’), Laura Steedman (Anna Murray, 79’), Rebecca Robertson.
Subs not used: Ellie Mitchell, Aoife Bidgood, Megan Paterson.
Starting Eleven
Post Match Interviews
Queen's Goals - Behind the goal with GoPro
Highlights
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