Queen of the South took all 3 points from their first home game in the Barclays Scottish Women’s League One on Sunday.
With Queens missing several influential players, including totemic captain Charlotte Smith, Dundee West Ladies might have been confident of taking something from this game, but within the first minute they were on the back foot in somewhat controversial circumstances.
Maisie Copland raced for the byline down the left but let the ball run out of play. As the teams prepared for the expected goal kick, the referee signalled a corner. Freya Brown took the kick but her first effort was headed out of play for another corner. This time Freya curled a superb corner that went over the defenders and directly into the far corner of the net to put Queens a goal up. The Dundee players were understandably unhappy about this and as a result play got more physical, but things got worse for Dundee when an own goal from one of their defenders double Queens’ lead. Queens were attacking repeatedly down the right hand side with Freya Brown linking well with striker Jo Gallagher and delivering dangerous crosses into the danger zone, and midfielders Alexandra Connon and Skye Copland getting involved in the build up play.
It was Gallagher who added to Queens’ tally with a lofted shot that gave the keeper no chance. Alexandra Connon added a fourth with another well placed strike. With Queens now well on top, Holly Ovens was released up the right wing with a beautifully weighted through ball. Ovens carried the ball to the retreating Dundee defence, cut across to the centre and fired the ball into the far corner to make it 5-0. With the game only having reached the 35 minute mark, Jo Gallagher repeated her earlier effort, lofting the ball into the goal to make it 6-0. Some of the Dundee players were taking the score badly and one of their defenders in particular was lucky to escape a red card for a cynical trip on Maisie Copland after the ball had gone. However everyone remained on the pitch and the game reached half time with Queens still leading 6-0
Into the second half and with the result clearly beyond doubt, coach Ross Meechan made some changes to give some of the subs game time. Eve Crombie in particular looked lively on the right but became the target of some fairly aggressive challenges, but she stood up well to the challenge. Eve Jackson, last season’s goalie, made a welcome appearance in an attacking role, and there was also an appearance by new signing Demi Torrance.
As things heated up on the pitch, creative midfielder Megan Hodgson was the target of some hefty tackles but she was clearly enjoying winding up her opponents with clever footwork to evade them and send them sprawling. Despite Queens continuing to dominate the game for most of the second half, they weren’t able to get the ball in the net. Dundee tried to push forward for a consolation goal but they were stopped by the dominant Queens back three of Shiv Hodgson, Leona Smith and Charlotte Bryden, with young keeper Ellie Wright dealing confidently with anything that got through. The game finished with Queens victorious by 6 goals to nil.
Queens next game is on Sunday (25th August) against Dunipace Ladies.
