St Johnstone Women’s first match of the new ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 season ended in defeat yesterday, losing by the odd goal in five to Stirling University.
Stirling may have second bottom last term in SWPL 2, but despite this, in the two meetings at Riverside last season, it was Saints who had to come from behind to win 3-2 on both occasions. Therefore, this match looked like it could be a close encounter and so it proved.
The sizeable crowd at Riverside saw competitive debuts for goalkeeper Ellie Mitchell and midfielder Scarlett Brady. They also saw the home side start the better of the two, with Saints having the ball in the net after just four minutes. Morgan Steedman struck from just inside the box, and when her shot was parried by Jodie Baker, former Stirling player Jodie Malcolm knocked home the rebound. Unfortunately for the Saints wingback, the assistant’s offside flag ruled out her first goal for the club.
Steedman went even closer ten minutes later. Her cross from the left eluded Baker, sailing over her head and off the post before being cleared away. Steedman would then break the deadlock after eighteen minutes. Bursting into the box, she opened her account for the season with a neat left foot finish.
Stirling began to grow into the game and were beginning to find space in the Saints half. After some shots from distance, easily gathered by Ellie Mitchell, they drew level just after the half hour mark. Elise Salmond drove down Stirling’s left wing and crossed in where the unfortunate Ellie-May Cowie turned the ball home into her own net.
The sides weren’t level for long. Saints captain Hannah Clark passed the ball to Alix Moodie, and the midfielder found the net with a powerful strike from close to thirty yards out.
Ten minutes into the second half and Stirling once again drew level. This time a free kick was played into the box and Emily Gray found herself unmarked to head home. Following this there were changes in the Saints ranks as Steffi Simson and Ellie MacIver were introduced, before being joined a short time later by Niamh Irvine and Eirinn McCafferty.
Stirling, as they often are, were resolute, and were effective in stopping Saints attacking play, while still creating their own chances. With fifteen minutes left they took the lead capitalising on a mistake from keeper Ellie Mitchell. Her clearance was intercepted by Mariluz Sanchez who curled an effort in off the post.
Jodie Ovens was then introduced as Saints looked to draw level. As the match moved into the closing stages, Simson forced Brady into a save, before she then gathered a Nicole Carter corner late on. Morgan Steedman had a chance late on but headed just wide and the three points headed back down the A9.
Next up for Saints is a trip to Glasgow next Sunday to face Queen’s Park.
Full Time – Saints 2 (M.Steedman 18’, Moodie 32’) – Stirling 3 (Cowie OG 30’, Gray 55’, Sanchez 75’)
Saints Mitchell, Cowie, Carter (MacIver), Clark (Ovens), Newbigging (Simson), M.Steedman, Moodie, Brady, Paterson (McCafferty), Malcolm(Irvine), L.Steedman,
Match report by Stuart Cowper