Boroughmuir Thistle 1 Queen’s Park 2
Queen's Park maintained their thirteen points lead at the top of ScottishPower PL2 with goals from Ellie Kane and Emma Craig enough to see off the challenge from Boroughmuir Thistle in the capital on Sunday.
Queen’s Park travelled to Meadowbank to face Boroughmuir Thistle for their final game in the third round of fixtures. The Spiders have maintained an unbeaten record against the Edinburgh side in the league this season as Queen’s Park secured a professional 3-0 victory back in October, and a late equaliser from Boroughmuir led to a draw in January.
Craig Joyce shuffled the line-up, making four changes from the squad that faced Livingston on Wednesday night. Rachel Ross, Darcy Molley, Emma Craig, and Megan Quigley stepped into the starting XI, replacing Leah Daly, Taylor Davis, Monica Harty, and Abby Callaghan, respectively.
The match kicked off with a bit of a chaotic moment for Queen’s Park as Boroughmuir quickly launched the ball forward from kick-off, causing a bit of commotion. Although Queen’s Park regained possession, Boroughmuir’s aggressive press led to Maria Novou-Torrente intercepting a pass near the 18-yard box. The ball then ricocheted into the path of Beth MacLeod, who advanced into the box. MacLeod managed to knock the ball wide past McGregor in goal, but she couldn’t maintain her balance, and her falling effort resulted in a goal kick.
For the next 25 minutes, the match stayed balanced. Both teams enjoyed brief periods of possession, advancing up the park, however, neither side managed to carve out any significant opportunities. The elusive final pass posed challenges for both teams as the score stayed level.
Queen’s Park looked to break the deadlock in the 27th minute when Lauren McGregor launched a long ball forward from a goal kick. Megan Quigley rose to meet it in the middle, nodding it on for Ellie Kane to pursue. Kane cleverly knocked the ball past a defender before sprinting toward the goal, leaving the Boroughmuir defence trailing behind. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Kane aimed to open her body and place it into the bottom corner, but her shot narrowly missed the target.
Just five minutes later, Ellie Kane found herself in another promising position as Hannah Cunningham delivered a brilliant ball forward. Kane controlled it expertly, cutting inside and unleashing a powerful strike from distance. Unfortunately, her effort rattled the crossbar and was cleared by the Thistle defence.
In the 34th minute, The Spiders finally secured their well-deserved breakthrough as they were awarded a corner. Hannah Cunningham whipped in an inviting ball towards the back post, where it was met by the foot of Rachel Ross. Ross’s attempt ricocheted off the post and landed at the feet of Emma Craig stationed at the edge of the 6-yard box. Craig unleashed a shot toward the goal, but it took a deflection and fell to ELLIE KANE, who cleverly looped it into the roof of the net, propelling Queen’s Park into the lead.
Half-Time: Boroughmuir Thistle 0-1 Queen’s Park
The second half began with Boroughmuir showing a renewed sense of vigour. Thistle quickly earned a free kick after a Queen’s Park push from kick-off. Kim Goodchild sent the ball forward, and while The Spiders managed to regain possession, Boroughmuir were quick on their press as Jayden Simmons intercepted a pass from the backline. Simmons played it wide to Emily Arthur, who then set up Fiona Gibson just inside the box. Gibson attempted a shot, but her effort was comfortably handled by Lauren McGregor.
In the 55th minute, Boroughmuir surged forward in search of an equaliser from a swift counterattack. Maria Novou-Torrente drove out from the back and sent the ball wide to Jayden Simmons. Simmons cut inside before threading a pass through to Emily Arthur, who unleashed a powerful strike that thudded against the crossbar before Lauren McGregor collected the rebound.
Five minutes later, Queen’s Park looked to respond after being awarded a free kick in the middle of the park following a foul on Hannah Cunningham. Ciara Bonner took charge of the set piece and unleashed a daring shot from around 35 yards. Her audacious effort rattled the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
For the next fifteen minutes, the match entered a somewhat scrappy phase as neither team maintained possession for extended periods. Both sides pushed forward, but it devolved into a midfield battle. Nonetheless, The Spiders managed to navigate through the chaos and string together a few promising passages of play. Unfortunately, the decisive final pass just wasn’t falling in their favour.
In the 73rd minute, Queen’s Park extended their lead. Darcy Molley threw the ball forward to find Abby Callaghan lurking at the edge of the box. Callaghan cleverly knocked it back to EMMA CRAIG, who unleashed an audacious strike from around 30 yards out, on her weaker side. The ball soared into the top corner, doubling The Spiders’ advantage.
The game then reverted to its scrappy phase. However, Queen’s Park maintained the upper hand, keeping Thistle pinned in their own half for extended periods. Both Nicole Cairney and Ami Robertson tried their luck with shots, but they didn’t trouble Rennie in goal.
In the 90th minute, Boroughmuir clawed one back. Starting from a Thistle throw-in near the halfway line, Mhari Smith initiated a quick exchange of passes. Smith then sent the ball into the box, only for Taylor Davis to intercept and inadvertently divert it into the corner. This sparked a scramble as Cara Borthwick dashed to retrieve the loose ball, eventually delivering it into the box. Amidst the chaos, the ball eventually fell to Molly Orr-Love who slotted the ball home.
Full-Time: Boroughmuir Thistle 1-2 Queen’s Park
Boroughmuir Thistle: Beth Rennie, Kimber Goodchild, Iris Ramage, Erin Sheehan (Molly Orr-Love), Emily Arthur (Mhari Smith, 76’), Beth Macleod (Cara Borthwick, 70’), Katie McCabe, Maria Novou Torrente (Ria McCafferty, 83’), Fiona Gibson, Lauren Hall (Jayden Simmons, 46’), Holly Aitchison.
Subs not used: Caitlin Armstrong, Olivia Murphy, Annalies Verbist, Sydney Hinchcliffe.
Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Hannah Cunningham, Ciara Bonner (Taylor Davis, 66’), Rachel Ross (Chloe Docherty, 74’), Darcy Molley, Olivia King (Monica Harty, 46’), Emma Craig, Megan Quigley (Abby Callaghan, 46’), Nicole Cairney, Rachael McConnachie (Ami Robertson, 72’), Ellie Kane.
Subs not used: Lucy Inman, Elise Macara, Robin Gallagher.
Starting Eleven
Post Match Interviews
Queen's Goals - Behind the goal with goPro
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