Queen of the South Ladies took on Bishopton Ladies at the NWCC on Sunday. A fiercely contested game was anticipated and both teams challenged for the league title, and the spectators were not disappointed.
Bishopton were first to threaten with a couple of corners creating chances, but Queens defence held out. Holly Ovens was put through on goal after beating the offside trap but before she could get her shot away, a perfectly timed last ditch tackle cleared the danger for Bishopton. Queens were pushing forward and playing some good football, leading to a series of corners. It was from a Kirsty Macdonald corner in the 25th minute that Queens took the lead, a Bishopton defender accidentally deflecting the ball into her own net. Bishopton attached straight from the restart and keeper Sophie Ingram was called in to action to prevent an equaliser. However after weathering the storm, Queens double their lead when Lois Geddes gathered the ball at the right hand side of the area and fired in a low shot that deceived the keeper at her near post. Queens two goal lead was short-lived however, as a minute later Bishopton grabbed a goal after hesitancy in the Queens defence allowed a Bishopton player to steal the ball and roll it into the net.
The second half was also hotly contested with a series of hard challenges from both teams. Bishopton were throwing everything at Queens but the Queens back three of Leona Smith, Charlotte Smith and Chloe Maxwell were in outstanding form, protected by central midfielders Abbie Dunlop and Megan Masterton, while keeper Sophie Ingram dealt capably with everything that came her way. However Queens suffered a double blow when Abbie Dunlop was carried off after suffering a bad foot injury, and shortly afterwards Leona Smith also had to leave the field due to injury. Queens were on the back foot now and the game became a series of high balls raining down on the Queens defence as Bishopton tried desperately for an equaliser. Queens defended valiantly, but eventually a cross ball broke to a Bishopton player who fired it into the net. Queens tried to create another chance to get their noses in front again, but the full time whistle went with no further scoring. A draw was probably a fair result, and Queens become the only team that Bishopton have been unable to beat this season. This is a very young Queens team, with many of the players still eligible for U17 football, and it will be interesting to see how they get on if the team can be kept together next season. The coaches were delighted with the way the team played, looking better than their older and more experienced opponents.
Queen of the South ladies 2 Bishopton Ladies 2
Next week Queens head to the town of “honest men and bonnie lasses” to take on Ayr United Ladies, with three points essential to keep Queens in the title race.
