Match report: Defeat for St Johnstone WFC at Gartcairn

St Johnstone Women made their second trip of the season to the MTC Park in Airdrie on Sunday to face Gartcairn in the first round of the Sky Sports Cup.

It would be the Lanarkshire side that advanced to the next round after a 7-0 win. 

Saints had Olivia Hurrell and Romilly Cruickshank return to the starting 11, while new signings forward Katy West and defender Ellie Jones also went into the matchday squad. 

Gartcairn opened the scoring after only two minutes. A free-kick was conceded at the edge of the box and Yasmin Boyce stepped up and curled an excellent effort beyond the reach of Jodie Baker in the Saints goal.

Their second came just five minutes later. Tara McGonigle picked up the ball on the right and made her way towards the penalty box, managing to jink her way around defenders and unleash a shot which Baker got a hand to, but not enough to keep the ball out. 

Saints began to settle into the match, while still absorbing pressure from the home side. Lila Aitchison brought a save from Jasmine McPhie in the Gartcairn goal in a rare effort on goal. Jodie Malcolm also had an effort which went just wide of goal. 

Two minutes into the second half and Gartcairn effectively put the game out of sight. Morgan Anderson came down the right and fired in a powerful low strike across goal.

Anderson headed home a fourth for Gartcairn just five minutes later from close range and, three minutes after that, Anderson was involved once again blocking a clearance from Baker and the ball looped up and fell to Madison Maxwell to knock the ball home into an empty net. 

Saints struggled to test McPhie and a sixth goal came 20 minutes from time when Kaela McDonald-Nguah held up the ball, turned and scored low past Baker. Former Saint Nicole Carter wrapped up the scoring as she made no mistake from close range in the final minute of the match.

Saints return to league action this Sunday when they make the trip to face Ayr United. Kick-off at Townhead Park, Cumnock will be 2pm.