News Every Day | 23 April 2024, 11:47

Glasgow Women 1 Queen’s Park 2

Ellie Kane's 90th-minute winner secured all three points for The Spiders in a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Glasgow Women.

Following a stellar week for Queen’s Park, where they were crowned official champions of the ScottishPower WPL-2, the team embarked on a journey to Motherwell to take on Glasgow Women at Alliance Park. Queen’s Park boasts a flawless record against the Glasgow side this season, having netted a combined total of 17 goals against them across all competitions.

Craig Joyce made just two changes to the line-up from last weekend’s encounter against Stirling University. Nicole Cairney and Abby Callaghan were introduced to the starting XI, replacing Monica Harty and Ami Robertson, respectively. This afternoon’s match also marked Hannah Cunningham’s 10th appearance for the club.

The game kicked off with a scrappy exchange, as neither team were able to maintain possession for prolonged periods.

Despite the chaos, Queen’s Park managed to string together a few neat passages of play in the opening 20 minutes. However, their efforts to find Kane and Callaghan with the final ball fell just short.

Meanwhile, Glasgow’s Maura Paterson attempted a couple of strikes from set pieces, but both sailed over the bar.

In the 25th minute, The Spiders earned a free kick just outside the box after Robin Gallagher was fouled. Emma Craig stepped up to take it, cleverly bending the ball around the wall toward the near post. However, Ramsey in goal made a good save to keep the score level.

The first clear-cut chance of the half finally materialised for Queen’s Park in the 33rd minute. Emma Craig collected the ball deep in her own half before driving forward. She then found Ellie Kane up top, who laid the ball off to Nicole Cairney out wide. Cairney sprinted down the line before delivering a teasing cross into the box. Abby Callaghan was on hand to slot the ball into the back of the net, but unfortunately, she was deemed offside, and the goal wasn’t awarded.

The following ten minutes unfolded much the same, with possession changing hands frequently and no notable chances created. While The Spiders pressed forward more aggressively than their opponents, they were unable to convert their attacks into tangible opportunities.

Just before the halftime whistle, in the 42nd minute, Glasgow break the deadlock. Khym Ramsay launched the ball forwards, where it eventually fell to Morgan Anderson out wide. Anderson advanced down the wing, delivering a ball across the face of goal. Caitlin McKee made a clever run towards the back post and directed the ball into the back of the net, giving Glasgow the lead going into the break.

Half-Time: Glasgow Women 1-0 Queen’s Park

Disappointed to be trailing at the break, Queen’s Park regrouped and emerged for the second half determined to turn the game around. The Spiders appeared more composed, as they settled back into their usual style of play—keeping possession, dictating the tempo, and moving Glasgow around, patiently waiting for the right moment to break through.

The Spiders wasted no time in responding, finding the equaliser in the 51st minute. Darcy Molley initiated the move with a precise throw to Ellie Kane near the corner flag. Kane skilfully evaded her marker before delivering a perfect cross into the box. Megan Quigley made a clever late run into the box to meet the cross with a well-timed header, levelling the score.

For the next fifteen minutes, Queen’s Park kept searching for another goal as they maintained their relentless pressure on the opposition. Yet, much like earlier, neither side managed to carve out any clear-cut chances.

In the 69th minute, The Spiders launched another attack in their bid to seize the lead. Ellie Kane regained possession in the middle of the park and drove forwards towards goal. Spotting an opportunity, she threaded a precise through ball to Ami Robertson up front. Robertson attempted to slot the ball into the net, but Ramsay stood tall to block her effort.

Queen’s Park persisted in their pursuit, maintaining relentless pressure on Glasgow and restricting them to their defensive half for the rest of the half. The Spiders orchestrated promising build-ups, with Monica Harty, Ellie Kane, and Darcy Molley all coming agonisingly close to providing the decisive touch to find the back of the net.

Queen’s Park efforts finally bore fruit as they launched one final attack in the 90th minute. Taylor Davis threaded the ball forward to Emma Craig at the edge of the box, who then laid it off to Hannah Cunningham out wide. Cunningham delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Ellie Kane in prime position at the back post. Kane expertly stabbed the ball past Ramsay, propelling Queen’s Park into the lead and marking her 30th goal in just 28 games this season.

The game wasn’t quite settled yet as Glasgow looked for an immediate response. Khym Ramsay launched ball forward from a goal kick, where it was flicked into the path of Kayleigh Barghati at the edge of the 6-yard box. Barghati aimed to tuck the ball into the net, but Lucy Inman intervened with a spectacular save, securing all three points for Queen’s Park.

Full-Time: Glasgow Women 1-2 Queen’s Park

Glasgow Women: Khym Ramsay, Phillipa MacConnell, Mhairi Lyle, Jorja McGurk, Caitlin McKee (Kirstin Harper, 84’), Rebecca McGarvey, Emma Rodgers (Nicole Haggerty, 86’), Kayleigh Barghati, Morgan Anderson, Maura Paterson, Brooke Shields (Natasha Donaghy, 79’).
Subs not used: Zoe Main, Devon McPherson, Leah Donnelly.

Queen’s Park: Lucy Inman, Hannah Cunningham, Ciara Bonner, Rachael O’Neill (Elise Macara, 84’), Darcy Molley, Emma Craig, Nicole Cairney (Monica Harty, 46’), Megan Quigley (Olivia King, 66’), Robin Gallagher (Taylor Davis, 46’), Abby Callaghan (Ami Robertson, 66’), Ellie Kane.
Subs not used: Lauren McGregor, Rachel Ross, Rachael McConnachie, Chloe Docherty.