Saints put in a five star performance
ST JOHNSTONE WOMEN ..................... 5 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ......................... 0
A sensational second-half goal blitz gave St Johnstone Women a huge home win over Stirling University on Sunday.
Saints went with the same starting XI at the Riverside which drew 0-0 with Boroughmuir Thistle the previous weekend.
There were few chances in the opening minutes with Perth keeper Bobby Cochran rushing from her goal to stop a Stirling counter attack.
As half time approached, Saints began to enjoy more of the ball in the final third and started to increase the pressure on the away defence.
Jodie Malcolm was played through and forced Victoria Scarratt into a good save before the rebound was cleared for a corner.
Olivia Hurrell also struck from 25 yards, forcing Scarratt into a save down to her left.
But it was in the second half where Saints really cut loose after Stirling twice went close to opening the scoring after the restart.
Last month, this match was postponed with less than 25 minutes until kick-off, and in that same period on Sunday Saints scored their five goals.
Elvie Mclean won possession in midfield and, after some neat build-up play and a blocked shot, the midfielder saw her effort deflect off a defender and into the net.
Twelve minutes later Saints had a second. Ellie May Cowie’s whipped cross was tipped by Scarratt onto the thigh of Olivia Hurrell who converted.
It was 3-0 three minutes later with Cowie, having been fouled by Rhianne Ferguson, scoring from the spot to become the club’s top scorer this season with nine goals.
Saints’ fourth goal was the pick of the bunch.
Nicole Carter won the ball in midfield and laid it off to Niamh Irvine, who from the corner of the penalty area, took a touch and unleashed a wicked strike which left the flailing Scarratt with no chance.
The fifth of the afternoon also came from 12 yards out. Former Stirling player Mariluz Sanchez was fouled by two away defenders as she crossed into the penalty area.
This time it was substitute Steffi Simson who stepped up and this time put it to the right of Scarratt.
Reflecting on the game , manager Kevin Candy said: “We have to be happy with a 5-0 and another clean sheet of course.
“It took a little while to break down Stirling, and all credit to them for that, but once the goals came in things started to relax and we deserved our five goals overall.”
Saints face Glasgow Women at the Reigart Stadium, Coatbridge on Wednesday night and welcome Kilmarnock to the Riverside on Sunday.
“Looking ahead to the games this week, we’ll need to start on Wednesday the way we finished off here today as it will be a tough game,” he added.
“Kilmarnock are on a good run of form too, the games between the sides tend to be close and entertaining affairs.
“But we’ll concentrate on Glasgow Women this Wednesday first.”
LINE-UP
SJWFC: Cochran, Maciver (Brady) Mclean (Carter), Cowie (Mccafferty), Irvine, Moodie (Sanchez), Malcolm (Simson), Burns, Hurrell, Steedman, Robertson. Subs not used: Mitchell, Murray, Bidgood