Season ends on a high for Saints Strong finish as women chalk up double-figure win
ST JOHNSTONE WFC .............. 10 HUTCHISON VALE .................... 0
St Johnstone finished their Scottish Women’s Premier League 2 campaign with a spring in their step.
And head coach Jason McCrindle hopes his players can take the feel-good factor from a double-figure triumph into next season.
Saints breezed beyond Hutchison Vale 10-0 at McDiarmid Park on Sunday, boosted greatly by a clinical first half display.
Despite a strong finish to the season, winning four of their last seven games, the Perth side end second bottom of SWPL 2.
“Everything we’ve been doing over the last couple of months has been geared towards finishing the season well, with a view to having some momentum to take into the new season,” McCrindle said.
“Based on the ambitions at the start of the season, it’s fair to say that we haven’t achieved what we had hoped.
“The vast majority of the performances themselves have been good but the results haven’t. Although the last couple of months have seen an improvement in that regard.
“Although we’ve taken points from every team this season, we have a small squad and definitely need to bring in some new faces for next season.
“So, with that in mind, we have already started planning for next season and have been speaking to a number of signing targets.
“Experience tells us that we won’t get all of them on board but we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to add some additional quality to the group.”
Quality was certainly on show in the early exchanges of Sunday’s match, with Rachel Todd opening the scoring with a first minute shot.
Saints raced into a three-goal advantage after skipper Jade Greenshields headed home before Rebecca Foote netted from long range.
A Nicole Carter corner was then nodded in by defender Sophie Milligan - the self proclaimed smallest defender in the league.
Celebrations continued with another three goals before the break, Greenshields completing her hat-trick while Hannah Clark also got on the scoresheet.
It was a day to remember for Greenshields who grabbed a fourth soon after the restart as Saints showed no mercy.
Striker Ellie May Cowie got in on the act with 60 minutes played, nudging a Fern Newbigging cross into the back of the net.
And double figures were reached when Milligan rounded off the scoring - her second of the game - in the closing minutes.
Saints also handed SWPL2 debuts to Jeanfield Swifts Girls under-19 players Eilidh Davies and Demi McHarg.
McCrindle added: “There have been a number of consistent performers this season. Some have stepped up to the SWPL for the first time and have performed at a high level.
“We’ve also been delighted that Rebecca McGowan has received further International recognition with Scotland U19s and Hannah Clark has received her first call ups this season.”
We need to bring in some new faces for next season