Queen’s Park 1 Spartans 0

The Spiders picked up three points in the Scottish Women’s Premier League for the first time since the 21st of September 2014 – when they beat Inverness City 3-1 at Woodfarm High School.

Head Coach Craig Joyce made three changes to his starting line-up with Emma Craig and Chloe Muir coming back into the eleven. Millie Paton made her first start for Queen’s Park this season with Darcy Molley, Megan Quigley, Nicole Cairney, Rosie McQuillan all missing.

As Ellie Kane kicked off the match at Ochilview, Queen’s Park saw the first few chances fall to the visitors. With two minutes played, Tegan Browning tried to fire her side in front, but it wasn’t enough to trouble Lauren McGregor – who held it comfortably.

On three minutes, Erin Rennie found herself through on goal, but her chance kept raising and found itself heading over the bar. Hannah Cunningham inspired her sides first proper chance just short of the fifteen-minute mark, as her throw was flicked on by Ellie Kane to the feet of Abby Callaghan. The Queen’s Park number 9 then muscled past her marker before the shot was hit inches wide.

Shortly after, Ellie Kane capitalised on a misdirected pass, turning it into a chance by finding Chloe Muir but her shot was effectively blocked and sent out for a throw.

In the 32nd minute, Olivia King was booked for a foul; the resulting free kick taken from 25 yards from goal was fired into the wall. The Spartans tried to respond again with a chance down the right-hand side, but Ciara Bonner intercepted the pass and cleared the danger.

The Spartans found themselves with a spell of constant pressure and attacking opportunities that their hosts managed to deal with on every occasion. With three minutes left in the half Hannah Jordan played a dangerous ball into the box, courtesy of Rebecca Foote’s ball over the defence, but Mille Paton blocked their path and cleared any further danger. Foote found herself with an opportunity of her own a minute later when she fired a header over the bar.

Ellie Kane found herself with another shot on goal when she turned into the box and fired a well-taken shot which Emma Thomson did exceptionally well to save. Queen’s Park had the final chances of the match with two back-to-back corners. The first, being cleared out of the box before Paton’s shot was blocked behind for the second. Kane’s second delivery found the head of Emma Craig, but she was off-target.

Half Time: Queen’s Park 0-0 The Spartans

The first chance of the half fell to The Spartans but the effort from the edge of the box found Lauren McGregor who collected the tight-angled shot with ease. Queen’s Park then found their first chance of the half via Olivia King who made a great run down the right-wing but maintained pressure saw the attack fizzle out.

The hour-mark came and brought three changes for Queen’s Park with Abby Callaghan, Chloe Muir and Ellie Kane making way for Ami Robertson, Rachel Wright and Charlize McFadyen, who made her debut for the club after The-seventeen-year-old joined The Spiders from Celtic on a season-long loan during the week.

The Spartans took another shot from the edge of the box in the 64th minute but the shot rose up and over McGregor’s crossbar. Keira Chuter was next to try and get the better of The Spider’s keeper with a powerful shot, but it was responded to with a great save.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Queen’s Park found themselves with a free kick in a dangerous position. Unfortunately, Emma Craig’s effort was hit over the bar.

Queen’s Park fired themselves in front with five minutes left in the game, condemning The Spartans to their fourth consecutive defeat in the new season. Morgan Hay played an excellent pass over the defence which found Ami Robertson. Her strike was hit perfectly from thirty yards with Emma Thomson too far out to attempt a save.

Deep into additional time, The Spartans had a final chance to equalise, but the shot was straight at Lauren McGregor before Queen’s Park made their final change. Jordan McLintock was brought on to replace Monica Harty.

Full Time: Queen’s Park 1-0 Spartans

Queen’s Park finds themselves in league action again on Wednesday night to play their re-scheduled fixture against Dundee United in the City of Discovery. The game will be played at Foundation Park with an 8PM kick-off.

Queen’s Park: Lauren McGregor, Millie Paton, Morgan Hay, Ciara Bonner, Hannah Cunningham, Olivia King, Emma Craig, Monica Harty (Jordan McLintock, ’95), Abby Callaghan (Rachel Wright, ’61), Chloe Muir (Charlize McFadyen, ’61), Ellie Kane (Ami Robertson, ’60). Subs not used: Elise Macara, Lucy Inman.

Spartans: Emma Thomson, Ronaigh Douglas (Abbie Johnstone, ’81), Kate Fraser, Robyn McCafferty, Tegan Browning (Cerys Corey, ’93), Rebecca Foote (Aimee Anderson, ’56), Keira Chuter, Olivia Chomczuk (Ella Beaton-Hill, ’81), Erin Rennie, Cacee McKenna (Sarah Clelland, ’56), Hannah Jordan.
Subs not used: Alica Yates, Eilidh Davies, Tegan Reynolds.