Women’s team lift SWPL2 Title in spectacular fashion

The result maintained a flawless record against The Students, The Spiders boasted an aggregate score of 22-1 in their favour so far. Queen’s Park went into the game knowing that a draw or win in this match would be enough to secure the ScottishPower WPL-2 title for Queen’s Park, with five games still to play.

Craig Joyce made 3 changes to the starting XI which faced Gartcairn two weeks prior. Lauren McGregor, Taylor Davis, and Abby Callaghan made way for Lucy Inman, Nicole Cairney and Megan Quigley, respectively. Notably, today’s team also marked Monica Harty’s 25th appearance of the season.

The game started off on a shaky note for The Spiders when Stirling University earned a corner just five minutes into the match. Lucy Jackman fired the ball towards the front post, where Rebecca McMillan made a well-timed run from behind to knock it into the net, giving her team an early lead.

However, the celebrations were short-lived as Queen’s Park swiftly equalised just five minutes later. Megan Quigley regained possession out wide and delivered a dangerous ball across the face of the goal. The cross caused chaos in the Stirling defence, leading to an unfortunate own goal as their goalkeeper deflected the ball into the path of her own defender.

Queen’s Park then found their rhythm as they were moving the ball well and putting The Students under relentless pressure. The Spiders worked their way up the park several times, with Megan Quigley testing the goalkeeper with a couple of attempts on goal. However, Regan Ott stood tall to deny Quigley’s efforts.

In the 20th minute, Queen’s Park sought to break the deadlock following a Stirling goal kick. Ott launched the ball forward, which was met by Megan Quigley’s aerial prowess. Ellie Kane was quick to react, chasing the ball down the line before cutting it back to Monica Harty lurking at the back post. Harty took a clever touch inside before unleashing a powerful strike towards goal. Despite taking a slight deflection, Harty’s effort rattled the crossbar before going out for a corner.

In the 29th minute, Queen’s Park, and Megan Quigley, clinched the well-deserved goal they had been chasing. The Spiders earned a throw-in on the right-hand side, where Darcy Molley located Kane up the line. Following some neat interplay between Molley, Gallagher, and Kane, Kane delivered a precise ball into the box for Megan Quigley positioned at the penalty spot. Although Quigley’s initial shot was blocked, she was quick to pounce on the deflection, stabbing the ball past Ott to put Queen’s Park ahead.

The Spiders asserted dominance, keeping Stirling pinned within their own half while launching relentless waves of attacks that kept The Students’ defence on their toes. Shots peppered in from all angles as Quigley, Harty, Kane, and Craig took turns with attempts on goal. However, none managed to hit the back of the net.

There was time for one more before the half-time whistle as Darcy Molley picked up the ball out wide. She lofted a precise ball into the box, seeking out Megan Quigley once more. Quigley aimed to nod the ball towards the goal, but her first attempt sent it skyward. Undeterred, Quigley swiftly regained control, powerfully holding off her marker, allowing her to cut inside and get a shot away. The ball fired into the bottom corner, extending Queen’s Park’s lead to two goals as they headed into the break.

Half-Time: Queen’s Park 3-1 Stirling University

The second-half kicked off with Queen’s Park maintaining their dominance, dictating the tempo of the game. Barely four minutes into the half, Ami Robertson was brought down at the edge of the box after a throw-in from the side, earning The Spiders a penalty. Megan Quigley stepped up to take the spot kick, looking to complete her hat-trick, but unfortunately, her effort sailed over the bar.

Queen’s Park wasted no time in adding to their tally as Ellie Kane broke through in the 55th minute. Darcy Molley nodded the ball forward to Robin Gallagher, who deftly flicked it over her marker before sending a perfect ball over the top for Kane to chase. Kane calmly rounded Ott before slotting the ball home, securing The Spiders’ fourth goal of the afternoon.

Queen’s Park continued their relentless pressure, eager to extend their lead. Callaghan, Quigley, O’Neill, and King all had attempts on goal, but none were enough to trouble Ott in the away net.

In the 75th minute, The Spiders notched another goal as Chloe Docherty seized a loose ball in midfield. Docherty drove inside and delivered an excellent pass out to Darcy Molley, who was making strides up the wing. Molley fired a shot from the edge of the box, which Ott managed to parry, but Abby Callaghan pounced on the rebound, stretching the lead to four.

Ten minutes later, Queen’s Park struck once more after earning a corner. Hannah Cunningham took charge of the set piece, delivering a pin-point ball into the box where Ellie Kane awaited. Kane leapt highest, heading the ball into the back of the net to secure The Spiders’ sixth goal of the afternoon and her 27th of the season.

Full-Time: Queen’s Park 6-1 Stirling University

Queen’s Park: Lucy Inman, Hannah Cunningham, Ciara Bonner (Elise Macara, 77’), Rachael O’Neill, Darcy Molley, Emma Craig (Rachael McConnachie, 73’), Monica Harty (Chloe Docherty, 73’), Megan Quigley (Olivia King, 64’), Robin Gallagher, Ami Robertson (Abby Callaghan, 64’), Ellie Kane.
Subs not used: Rachel Ross, Taylor Davis, Nicole Cairney.

Stirling University: Regan Ott, Rhianne Ferguson, Louise Reid, Holly Watson, Rebecca McMillan (Eve Somerville, 75’), Lucy Jackman, Sophie Rupp (Naomi Sleator, 87’), Amy Hodgson (Megan Armstrong, 13’), Kirsten Palmer (Maddison Garrad, 75’), Elise Salmond, Rachel Hollywood (Carrie McGorm, 75’).
Subs not used: Amy Davidson.