We fell to a disappointing defeat in the SWFL Central-West this afternoon, as Gleniffer Thistle came away from Mountblow with a 3-0 victory.
A lack of clinical edge in key moments and some contentious officiating played their part, but ultimately, we were punished for not taking our chances and for being exposed by balls in behind.
We started brightly, with Sophie Reid coming close early on as she curled an effort from outside the area that clipped the outside of the post.
The match then opened up into an end-to-end contest, with both sides trading opportunities.
Gleniffer found themselves through on goal twice in the opening half hour but first fired over the bar before being denied by an excellent near-post stop from goalkeeper Kira Swallow.
We responded well and almost took the lead when Gemma Smith’s pinpoint corner found the head of Mya Logan, but her effort drifted just over.
However, the visitors capitalised the next time they broke through, finishing low past Swallow to take a 1-0 lead just before half-time. Despite further saves from Swallow to keep us in the game, we went in at the break knowing we were still within reach.
After half-time, we pushed forward with intent. Both Gemma Russell and Casey-Leigh Findlay almost got in behind, only to be thwarted by the advancing goalkeeper.
But frustration grew when a clear pull-back on Lucia Sereno went unpunished, before Gleniffer doubled their lead in a move where their attackers appeared to be beyond our defensive line, playing further forward passes whilst clear of all defenders but no offside was given.
We continued to chase a route back into the match, with Logan and Mirren Esdale both going close, but Gleniffer curled in a third on the break late on to seal the result.
The afternoon was further soured when Sophie Reid was forced off with what has since been confirmed as severe ligament damage in her foot.
We send Sophie all our best wishes and support as she begins her recovery, she is expected to be out until at least the New Year.
Head coach Gerry Gallacher reflected on the performance: “It was a difficult game today.
“The conditions and the pressure we were under were added to by the referee’s decisions that didn’t help either side.
“In the first half we were sloppy and lacked belief. But in the second half we took control and created chances, we just couldn’t get the break we needed.
“The girls gave everything. Every substitute played their part. Sophie led the line brilliantly and unfortunately took a bad knock.
“We’ll learn from today, keep our heads up and move onto next week.”
“There were positives in our intensity and second-half performance but now it’s about regrouping, recovering, and responding.”
Everyone at the club wishes Sophie a full and strong recovery. We’ll be with her every step of the way.