Early goal blitz seals game for the Lionesses
Fish takes season’s strike tally to 17
A strong first half showing was enough for Livingston as they picked up a 4-2 Championship South home win over Morton.
A double from Ashley Fish alongside strikes from Rachel Walkingshaw and Fiona Boslem gave the Lionesses a deserved win at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The returning Walkingshaw would waste little time in making her mark with a trademark finish from the edge of the box giving the home side the lead in five minutes.
The midfielder found herself in loads of space before firing home her seventh goal of the season.
The Lionesses were in ruthless form as the lead was soon doubled with Fish also marking her return to the starting line-up with an early goal.
Sharon Hughes-Lee did tremendously well down the right flank before hanging a cross up to the back post, allowing Fish to rise highest and head into the back of the net.
Morton had a glorious double chance to get back into the game but Charlotte Ferguson pulled off a heroic double save to keep the hosts two in front.
Livi made it three 10 minutes before half-time with Boslem scoring her first goal of the season.
Gemma Mason’s corner found the centre-half in the box, with her half volley finding the bottom corner despite the best efforts of the Morton defence.
Livi could have added to their lead but Fish scuffed a glorious effort before the break.
She would make amends for that miss early in the second half as she grabbed her second and the home side’s fourth of the contest.
A brave header from Vicky Wood threaded the forward through and she finished coolly to take her tally to 17 goals for the season.
She really should have had at least a hat-trick, though, as the chances continued to come her way.
The forward struck the bar while having another effort saved from a good position as the Lionesses pushed for more goals to no avail.
Morton would strike back with a great long range effort from midfielder Craig.
The ball landed at her feet and she would unleash a looping effort that caught out Ferguson and gave them a lifeline. That goal breathed new life into Morton, who began to have more of an impact on the game and create more chances.
Livingston defended resolutely but a mistake from Natasha Frew gifted Morton a second goal through McConnachie as the forward nicked the ball off the defender before firing home emphatically to cut the deficit.
The away side continued to press but Livingston were able to avoid any more goals which would have made for a very nervy ending as they saw out the game for the three points.
They are next in action on March 13 away to Ayr United.