East Fife 2 Queen’s Park 1

Queen’s Park travelled back to Glasgow empty handed after East Fife’s first SWPL2 victory meant the 3 points stayed at Bayview Stadium.

Craig Joyce handed Rachael O’Neill and Carla Todd their first start of the season, with the rest of the starting XI remaining unchanged from the late winner against Kilmarnock.

It was almost a dream start for the Spiders inside the opening 2 minutes. Taylor Davis’s cross from the left was met by Liz Anderson. Her clearance rocketed off an East Fife defender into the path of Todd, who calmly finished into the net. The assistant referee raised his flag for offside and it remained 0-0.

It wouldn’t be long before Queen’s got the goal their opening play deserved. A fantastically weighted pass from Ellie Kane played Abby Callaghan through on goal, who was able to finish on the half-volley.

For all of Queen’s Park possession and positive play, the final ball just wasn’t there yet as promising passages of play failed to lead to any clear cut scoring opportunities.

That would change just after the half an hour mark as a Kane corner was met by the head of Todd. A short time after, Leah Daly delivered a cross on a plate for Todd. Unfortunately for the Spiders, both efforts fell the wrong side of the post.

A rare East Fife attack provided them with a great chance just before half-time to draw level. Chloe Guppy got to the byline and cut back for Nicola Wallace but her shot was wide of Lauren Grant’s post.

There was still time for one more Queen’s chance. Nicole Cairney was taken down by Guppy, Callaghan was able to get onto the loose ball but couldn’t get it past the onrushing Lauren Hamill.

Half Time: East Fife 0 Queen’s Park 1

In total contrast to the first-half, East Fife started the on top. A cross field pass from Mirren Lumsden made it’s way to Emma McFadyen who carried the ball into the box before slotting into the net levelling the game after 50 minutes.

The goal gave the home side a lift as they looked for a second. It almost came 10 minutes later when Mya Knight picked up on a loose ball, but was only able to hit the side netting.

The second did would come. Knight crossed from the left and Wallace was in the box first to convert. Luisa Balloch almost made it 3 in the final minutes of the 90, but Grant made a good stop.

Full Time: East Fife 2 Queen’s Park 1

East Fife: Lauren Hamill, Mirren Lumsden, Elizabeth Corke, Luisa Ballach, Tyler Thomason (Sarah Herd, 93′), Mya Knight (Isla Davie, 74′), Chloe Guppy, Emma McFadyen, Brooklynn Kelly, Elizabeth Anderson, Nicoal Wallace (Kerys Blyth, 83′).

Queen’s Park: Lauren Grant, Ellie Kane, Ciara Bonner, Nicole Cairney (Hannah Fulton, 74′), Abby Callaghan, Leah Daly, Carla Todd (Caitlin McKee, 64′), Taylor Davis, Eleanor Smith, Yasmin Boyce (Abbi McDonald, 74′), Rachael O’Neill (Alex Fraser, 81′).

Subs not used: Chloe Gibney, Sophie Bayless, Lauren Ray, Sarah MacLeod, Jaya Gill.