St Johnstone women suffered a second successive defeat on Sunday, losing 4-1 away to Queen’s Park at New Tinto Park in Glasgow.
There were two changes to the side which started against Stirling, with Rebecca Robertson and Ellie MacIver coming in for Laura Steedman and Nicole Carter, both of whom were on the bench.
Queen’s Park were first to have any attempts on goal with Monica Harty, from a corner after five minutes, and Nicole Cairney a few minutes later with a weak shot, both easily gathered by Ellie Mitchell in the Saints goal.
Morgan Steedman then had a speculative effort, a volley from 25 yards out which went just wide of Lauren McGregor’s goal.
Queen’s Park were certainly enjoying more of the ball and Nicole Cairney, a constant threat, forced Mitchell into a save after fifteen minutes which was gathered at the second attempt. Ellie Kane would fire a low free kick wide of goal, and a cross from Darcy Molly hit the side netting.
At the other end, Hannah Clark headed wide from a corner before Saints best chance of the half fell to Morgan Steedman. Played through, her powerful strike was well saved by McGregor and cleared before Jodie Malcolm could follow up with the rebound.
Into the second half and Queen’s Park were again enjoying far more possession and creating numerous chances. Ellie Mitchell, doing her best to keep the scores level, made several good saves, including one with her foot and an excellent one-handed save to tip a shot out for a corner.
The seemingly inevitable Queen’s opener came soon after, a well worked move ending with Nicole Cairney slotting home just after the hour mark. Ten minutes later and Ellie Mitchell had stared down two players from twelve yards, and Saints were staring at a 2-0 scoreline on the scoreboard.
Eirinn McCafferty adjusted to have pulled back Abby Callaghan who then stepped up and saw her spot kick saved. Not two minutes later, a handball against Rebecca Robertson saw a second penalty awarded with Queen’s captain Ellie Kane scoring this time, despite Mitchell getting a hand to the powerful strike.
Having already brought on Niamh Irvine and, making her debut, Eilidh Begg, attackers Steffi Simson and Jodie Ovens were introduced to try get Saints back in the game.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. A defensive clearance was picked up on by Queen’s, switching the ball across the park twice for Ellie Kane to get her second from the back post. A fourth goal followed soon after for Abby Callaghan.
There was a late consolation goal for Saints as Jodie Ovens scored in stoppage time.
Saints now travel to Airdrie next Sunday to face Gartcairn with a 2pm kick off.
Saints: Mitchell, Cowie (Simson), MacIver, Clark (McCafferty), Newbigging (Ovens), M.Steedman, Brady, Paterson (Irvine), Malcolm(Begg), Robertson.
Subs not used: Burns, Carter, Steedman, Cochran
Match report by Stuart Cowper