Match Report

Our women’s side took a break from SWFL Central-West league action this afternoon to resume their ScottishPower Regional League Cup campaign, as holders Edinburgh University Thistle visited Mountblow Pitches.

With regular goalkeeper Kira Swallow unavailable and Catriona Smith ineligible, it was left to outfielders Lucia Sereno and Sophie Reid to share goalkeeping duties, each playing 45 minutes between the sticks.

Despite a strong start, we conceded early. A cutback from the left travelled across to the right-hand side of the box, where the Thistle wide player curled a shot in via a deflection.

We responded immediately. Reid, playing in midfield during the first half, pressed the visiting defence high and won possession inside their penalty area. The keeper rushed out to smother the ball, but it broke to Gemma Russell, who struck home her tenth goal of the season from the rebound.

The scores wouldn’t remain level for long, as a short back pass left Sereno exposed and she was rounded for 2–1.

But once again, the ladies hit back instantly. Great work from Natasha Lewis on the right wing saw her battle through two Thistle defenders, showing excellent determination and strength, before finding Russell, who produced a wonderful looping finish into the net.

We then cleared the ball off the line twice from corners, with captain Eva McInnes heading away at the back post on both occasions to deny certain goals.

However, Thistle eventually grabbed their third, another poor pass in the defensive third allowed their forward to bear down on Sereno before finishing coolly.

In the second half, despite creating some half chances, we conceded twice more: one from a well-worked short corner and another from a close-range effort squeezed between Reid’s legs, with the midfielder now in goal.

We continued to fight to the end, and central defender Mirren Esdale gave us hope five minutes from time with a thunderous 35-yard free-kick into the roof of the net.

Both Teigen Calder and Russell came close to getting in behind late on, but no clear-cut chances materialised, and the holders progressed 5–3 over the Daughters of the Rock.

There is no match for Gerry Gallacher’s side next weekend before we welcome Gleniffer Thistle to Mountblow Pitches, Dalmuir on Sunday 9 November, with kick-off time to be confirmed.

Dumbarton Women 3

10′, 16′ Gemma Russell, 84′ Mirren Esdale

Edinburgh University Thistle Women 5

5′ 15′, 19′, 54′, 57′

View all the results from the ScottishPower Regional League Cup

Post-match Reaction

Match photos