Our women’s side rounded up their pre-season fixture list with an away trip to SWFL East side Murieston United this afternoon.
Gerry Gallacher and his side made the trip to Livingston to face their opponents in what was their final warm up game ahead of their first competitive fixture at home to Drumchapel United next Sunday.
The ladies kicked things off at Bankton Mains and had the better of the opening chances, with Alisha Biggerstaff, on as an early sub for Sophie Reid after a knock, headed just wide at the back post after a great Gemma Smith cross.
However, it would be the home side who would open the scoring, a long shot deceiving Kira Swallow in the sun and nestling in the top corner.
Murieston would double their advantage deep in the second half. A poor clearance from the Dumbarton defence let the United attacker through on goal and she smashed the ball past Swallow.
With the game looking lost the girls had to dig deep. They would pull one back almost immediately.
15-year-old Amy MacPherson would release Neamh MacNeil on the right wing, she would drive forward and deliver an excellent cross across the area, missing all the defenders and Lucia Sereno, operating further forward on the left wing, on hand to scramble the ball home at the back post.
It would be all square before the end, a long ball over the Murieston defence found the onrushing Eva McInnes, the captain would control the ball superbly whilst running through and passed the ball into the goal.
The young side showed their fitness levels by dragging the game back after all looked lost.
The team then pressed for a winner but were almost caught on the counter in the final moments but thankfully Swallow, who has impressed in both pre-season fixtures, was out quickly to tackle the striker and remove the danger.
The girls defended a stoppage time corner resolutely, showing a clear improvement after their weakness defending set plays last time out and headed back home with a credible draw.
Young MacPherson was impressive in midfield whilst both MacNeil and Sereno acquitted themselves well in more advanced roles. Hannah McGhee, who joined the squad midway through last year also shone at full back, making some key challenges to keep out the Murieston attack, all positive signs for the gaffer heading into the season.
The women’s side start their competitive campaign at home to Drumchapel next Sunday. The SWFL Cup – Group 5 match kicks off at Mountblow in Dalmuir, Clydebank at 2:45pm.