Match report: Kilmarnock 6-1 St Johnstone WFC

St Johnstone Women suffered a heavy defeat at Rugby Park on Sunday, losing 6-1 to Kilmarnock.

The home side opened the scoring after just three minutes through Cara Gray. Steffi Simson nearly equalised a few minutes later, striking early after winning possession, but Ellie Currie was down well to save.

Much of the game was played out in the middle of the park with few chances of note, though pressure from the hosts did result in a few corners. Abby Robinson dragged a shot wide for the hosts, while Olivia Hurrell also dragged an effort wide of goal for Saints.

Picking up on a short kick-out by Currie, Simson struck a little too early and didn't get the connection she may have wanted and also pulled a shot well wide of the target.

A well-worked Kilmarnock free-kick after 35 minutes saw Georgina McTear run in behind the Saints defence and deftly lift the ball over Jodie Baker in the goal and, much to Baker's relief, the crossbar.

Saints came close at the end of the half to an equaliser on two occasions. First of all when an Eirinn McCafferty strike couldn't be held by Currie, though she did well to gather the rebound as Hurrell moved to tap home. Hurrell came closer still in the final minute when she had a shot dramatically cleared off the line.

The second half started just as the first did - an early Kilmarnock goal. Simson forced Currie into a save in the first minute, but the ball was played forward quickly and a shot rattled the crossbar with Robinson reacting quickest to head home and double Kilmarnock's lead.

Kilmarnock began to enjoy more of the game as they had done in the first 20 minutes of the first half and were clinical with their efforts on goal.

Louise Cowan headed home a free-kick on the hour mark for Kilmarnock's third of the match. Also heading home seven minutes later was Hurrell who, from eight yards out, nipped in between defender and goalkeeper to head home a Simson cross from the right.

Any thoughts the visitors had of perhaps taking something from the match were dashed with 15 minutes left when Cara Grey found herself in space to strike from distance leaving Baker with no chance. Two minutes later, they had a fifth, Kelsie Crainie crossing from the right and the ball bundled home at the back post by substitute Katie Gallagher.

Saints’ last attempt on goal saw Katy West forced a save from a close range effort, with Hurrell's rebound also saved. Kilmarnock added gloss to their win in the final minute, Gallagher turning and curling an effort into the bottom corner for her brace, and Kilmarnock's sixth of the match.

Saints remain second bottom of SWPL 2 and have another free week before welcoming fellow SWPL 2 side Ayr United to Riverside on December 8th in the Scottish Gas Women's Scottish Cup third round.

Saints Baker, MacIver (Howie), McLean (Gibson), Simson (West), Hurrell, Irvine, Smith (Telford), McMillan (Paterson), Malcolm, Jones, McCafferty. Sub not used: Cochran.