Queen of the South Ladies brought down the curtain on their 2024-2025 SWF League One season on Sunday with a home game against Inverurie Loco Works Ladies at NWCC.
Queens took the lead after ten minutes when centre back Charlotte Bryden got on the end of a corner from the right and bundled the ball into the net. Inverurie hit back just 4 minutes later when the Inverurie striker broke through the middle and hit a well-placed shot into the top corner, giving Queens’ keeper Ellie Wright no chance. Queens were however playing well and they came close with a superb Jade Samping thunderbolt from outside the area that that hit the bar. However the teams changed ends with the score still tied.
Into the second half and Jade Samping was in excellent form, spreading the play and creating openings. Queens had the better of the play and with only three minutes gone they took the lead with another delicious Jade Samping strike from the left hand corner of the area, a looping shot that the Inverurie keeper couldn’t get near. Queens continued to create chances but couldn’t get the vital third goal that would likely have sealed the win, and instead it was Inverurie who took advantage of an error in midfield which saw their striker run in on goal and fire the ball past Ellie Wright. Head coach Ross Meechan brought on the subs to give Queens fresh legs, with Grace Gilmour up front, Emily Butcher at right back but always eager to get forward, & Jo Gallagher and Macy Zygadlo in midfield. Emily Butcher had more than one attempt at goal blocked as Queens strived to get the winner, but the final whistle went with the score tied at 2-2. Queens finished the season in sixth place, just behind St Mirren on goal difference, but in only the second season since promotion to League One, it is clear that the team is improving with experience, and it is hoped that next season the improvement can continue which could possibly see Queens challenging for the title.
Special mention to Queens’ centre back, sometimes midfielder, Charlotte Bryden who ended the season as Queens’ top scorer.
Queens will be training until around the end of this month before taking about a month off. With the new season starting in August, pre-season training will be commencing at the beginning of July.
