Sunday 18th April 2010
Queen's Park Ladies secured their first three points since being promoted to the First Division with a narrow win over Raith Rovers. The final score-line failed to reflect the dominance of the home side, who made life difficult for themselves by missing a string of chances.
The Spiders playing their third league home game in succession endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. In a tight and even first half there were few chances for either side. Raith, playing a high defensive line, kept catching Spiders offside, as the home team pressed for an opener. However, with Simpson and Spence putting the Rovers defence under great pressure it was only a matter of time before they cracked. Carey, who provided excellent supply to the forwards throughout the afternoon, played a well weighted pass to Simpson who shot over the bar, with only the keeper to beat.
This seemed to set the tone for the game and the pattern continued in the second half. Queen's started to dominate in all areas of the pitch. From a corner Lyle almost scored but could not keep her effort down. Spiders, having worked out how to counter the high defensive line of their opponents, now started to press home their superiority, carving out chance after chance. Simpson, timing her runs to perfection, got on the end of several chances but could not find a way past the resolute Rovers keeper. However, the Queen's Park coaching staff kept faith with their forward and their confidence was rewarded when, fifteen minutes from time, she finally found the back of the net with a well place toe poke from fifteen yards.
The relief for the Spiders was clear but this soon turned to despair when just five minutes later Rovers equalised from their only attempt of the half. Raith worked the ball wide and the winger took on Myles before squaring the ball across the six yard box for an easy tap in. Spiders, aware of the need for three points, gambled and threw on an extra attacker. It paid off. From another excellent through ball super-sub McCreath bust clear, before coolly slotting home.
Team: Phillips, Cameron (sub. McCluskey 65), Lyle, Ferriter (c), Myles, Clapperton, Scott (sub. Condie 75), Madgin, Carey, Spence (sub. McCreath 80), Simpson.
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