Queen’s Park 4 Livingston 0

15.03.2024 01:05

Queen’s Park moved 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Power WPL-2 table after a 4-0 victory under the lights against Livingston. Craig Joyce made four changes to the starting line-up from the Kilmarnock encounter over a week ago. Taylor Davis, Leah Daly, Olivia King, and Rachael McConnachie found themselves in the starting […]

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Queen’s Park moved 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Power WPL-2 table after a 4-0 victory under the lights against Livingston.

Craig Joyce made four changes to the starting line-up from the Kilmarnock encounter over a week ago. Taylor Davis, Leah Daly, Olivia King, and Rachael McConnachie found themselves in the starting XI, while Ami Robertson and Emma Craig took spots on the bench. The line-up for the day marked Lauren McGregor’s 20th appearance for the club, alongside Leah Daly and Taylor Davis’ 20th appearance of the season.

The game got off to a devastating start for Leah Daly as just eight minutes into the match, she found herself entangled in a tussle with Anna Dickov. Daly was fouled and brought down inside her own 18-yard box, resulting in an awkward landing that injured her shoulder. Daly was subsequently substituted off, and scans later revealed she had broken her collarbone.

The game then resumed rather bitty with neither team really keeping possession of the ball. However, both sides managed to get a shot off as Abby Callaghan has a go from distance and Livingston’s Jennifer Dodds poked the ball goalward from inside the box. However, neither attempt troubled either goalkeeper.

In the 20th minute, Queen’s Park surged into the lead with a neat move out from the back. Lauren McGregor fed the ball to Ciara Bonner, who played it to Monica Harty in the middle. Harty, in turn, laid it back to Taylor Davis, who sent a magnificent ball over the top for Rachael McConnachie to chase down. Showing her pace, McConnachie raced part her marker and coolly slotted the ball past Gamrot in the Livingston goal.

The Spiders wasted no time as they immediately regained possession and advanced up the park from the kick-off. Monica Harty initiated the move by winning the ball in middle and playing it to Rachael McConnachie. McConnachie then laid it off to Olivia King who opened up and delivered a superb pass out wide to Nicole Cairney. Cairney danced past her marker before sending a delightful cross into the box, where Abby Callaghan found herself with an opportunity. Unfortunately, Callaghan’s effort narrowly missed the target, rattling the outside of the post.

Nevertheless, The Spiders seized the opportunity from the resulting goal kick, extending their lead in the 22nd minute. Schenai Gamrot distributed the ball to her centre-half, Natasha Frew, positioned at the edge of the 6-yard box. But Ellie Kane was quick to react, relentlessly closing down Frew and taking advantage of a heavy touch from the centre-back. Kane nudged the ball over the line to notch Queen’s Park’s second goal of the night and her 26th of the season.

The next 10 minutes saw The Spiders in control. They kept Livingston contained within their own half and were keeping the ball well. They worked their way forwards on numerous occasions but unfortunately the final ball just wasn’t falling in their favour.

In the 35th minute, Queen’s Park managed to add one more goal. The ball was cleared from the back and found its way to Rachael McConnachie, who then flicked it on for Abby Callaghan. Callaghan played the ball over the top for Ellie Kane, who almost executed a perfect chip over Gamrot. However, the Livingston keeper pulled off a good save to deny Kane, tipping the ball onto the crossbar. Monica Harty was alert to punce on the rebound, slotting it into the back of the net to extend The Spiders’ lead to three goals heading into the break.

Half-Time: Queen’s Park 3-0 Livingston

The second half picked up right where the first left off, with Queen’s Park dictating the game. The Spiders’ defence held strong, shutting down any attempts from Livingston to threaten the goal, while the rest of the team continued to push forward in search of more goals.

The first notable chance of the half fell for Queen’s Park in the 53rd minute. Lauren McGregor delivered a superb long ball forward to find Hannah Cunningham advancing up the wing. Cunningham then played the ball across to Ellie Kane, who set up Abby Callaghan at the edge of the box. Callaghan unleashed a powerful strike towards goal, but it narrowly sailed over the crossbar.

Livingston finally had a glimpse of goal in the 70th minute after regaining possession from a goal kick. Lauren McGregor launched the ball long, where Natasha Frew managed to win it at the back. The ball then found its way to Hannah Davie, who played the ball through to Emma McFadyen. McFadyen attempted a shot from a tight angle, but McGregor made a solid save.

In the 80th minute, Queen’s Park sealed their victory with their fourth and final goal of the night. Lauren McGregor distributed the ball to Hannah Cunningham out wide, who made a dynamic run up the field before passing to Ellie Kane. Kane then set up Emma Craig at the edge of the box. Craig causally skipped past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner with her weaker foot.

Full-Time: Queen’s Park 4-0 Livingston

Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Hannah Cunningham, Taylor Davis, Ciara Bonner, Leah Daly (Rachel Ross, 11’), Olivia King, Nicole Cairney, Abby Callaghan (Megan Quigley, 62’), Monica Harty (Emma Craig, 62’), Rachael McConnachie (Ami Robertson, 62’), Ellie Kane (Robin Gallagher, 84’).
Subs not used: Lucy Inman, Elise Macara, Chloe Docherty.

Livingston: Schenai Gamrot, Sharon Hughes, Bryony Ross, Anna, Jessica Murphy, Natasha Frew (Beth McKay, 52’), Shannon Mulligan, Hannah Davie, Jennifer Dodds, Lauren Evans (Emma McFadyen, 61’), Raewyn Murphy (Courtney McAvoy, 45’)
Subs not used: Molly Reeve, Ashley Fish, Lucy Brown, Eilidh Begg.