Pirates sunk by late goal in semis

Paisley Pirates were unable to take their dream end to the season all the way to the play-off trophy, losing valiantly to Edinburgh Capitals in the semi-finals on the weekend.

In a dramatic finish to a topsy-turvy campaign,the Braehead-based side took their Scottish National League rivals all the way to overtime in their final match on Saturday.

After regular time ended 3-3 it was all on the line in extra-time, with five minutes to be played. Unfortunately for the Pirates, it would be the Capitals who claimed the win as their captain, Joel Gautschi, secured the winning goal just 60 seconds into overtime.

The match came to life in the second period with both teams scoring twice – Marcus Murdoch and Alex Lane netting for the Pirates

The Capitals were the first to score in the third, to the elation of their fans, but it was the travelling Pirates fans celebrating shortly after when Chris Turley equalised.

That joy for the travelling supporters was soon quelled by the devastating Capitals goal in overtime that produced an uproarious wave of celebration from the home fans leaving Pirates deafened and defeated and their 2023/24 season ended.

The Capitals would go on to win their final on Sunday against the Kirkcaldy Kestrels.

Crock-hit St Mirren Women are limping towards the finish line as the squad fights an epidemic of injuries, says boss Kate Cooper.

Saints crashed to Airdrie Ladies as Diamonds striker Avril Johnstone scored all their goals in a 4-1 demolition job.

Cooper’s girls had hoped to follow up their impressive 7-0 win against Dundee West in their previous match but sharp shooter

Johnstone was their downfall at Airdrie Leisure Centre. Cooper said: “She’s a good, strong player – their player of the match. She’s very physical and we struggled to manage her.”

That task was not helped by injuries to the backline that saw two defenders have to be taken off through injury.

Cooper told the Express: “We weren’t clinical enough, we conceded first, from our corner, and then we were chasing the game. But, we’re carrying quite a few injuries, we’re almost limping ourselves to the end this year.”

Johnstone scored two in the first half, with Saints top scorer Ceara Macintyre continuing her good form to get one back for the away side.

Saints had numerous one-onone situations with the Airdrie keeper but couldn’t capitalise.

But Johnstone had no such trouble, grabbing two more goals in the second half.

St Mirren have been without first-choice forward Maxine Fury for much of the season, the 33-year-old is awaiting surgery for an ACL injury she sustained in September. Her goals have certainly been missed.

“We have many challenges and this is another, we’ve not got the funds to pay for Maxine’s surgery privately so she’s on the NHS waiting list like everybody else,” explained Cooper.

There was a poignant atmosphere in League One on Sunday with news that Forfar Farmington founder and president Colin Brown had died.

Cooper said: “It’s really sad news. I knew Colin really well, he’s been in football a long time. He was a real character and was responsible for the creation of that team and a big part of their successes.

“His daughters, who played for the team too, run it now so it’s a real lasting legacy he built.”

Forfar need just one point from three games to join Falkirk and Stenhousemuir in promotion to the Championship.

Saints now rest up before taking on Queen of the South at the North West Community Campus on Sunday, May 5, at 3pm.