Match report: St Johnstone WFC 3-2 Rossvale

St Johnstone Women rounded off a successful weekend for the club with a dramatic late win against Rossvale at the Riverside on Sunday.

Our first home game of 2025, it would prove to be an enthralling encounter in Perth and an important three points for the Saints.

Manager Josh Henderson made just one change from the side which lost to Gartcairn on Tuesday, with Olivia Hurrell coming into the starting 11 in place of Elvie McLean. 

On Tuesday, Saints ultimately lost as a result of two early goals and there was déjá vu as Rossvale opened the scoring after just three minutes.

The hosts found themselves hemmed in a crowded area on the right-hand side of the pitch, unable to move the ball forward. Rossvale won possession and a cross flashed across goal was met by Monica Harty nipping in to prod the ball past Bobby Cochran. 

Just two minutes later, we had a great chance to restore parity. Jodie Malcolm was played through and, driving forward down the right, she got a shot away but it would clear the crossbar.

The end-to-end nature of the match was starting to become obvious when, soon after that missed opportunity, a long ball forward from the Rossvale defence was met by Nicole Cairnie. She played in Lyndsey Holmes whose effort came crashing off the crossbar. 

With 10 minutes gone, the equaliser arrived. Rachel Howie did well on the left to win the ball, shirk a tackle and deliver a cross. Falling nicely for Hurrell, she side-footed home from six yards out. 

Steffi Simson soon had a shot blocked and then guided narrowly past the post after an initial looping header from Howie. Hurrell would also have an effort comfortably saved by Chloe Gibney in the Rossvale goal.

In the closing stages of the half, however, Rossvale could have put the match out of sight. First, an effort was cleared close to the line by Niamh Irvine. Cairney had a shot strike the right hand upright and then there was the biggest let off of the match.

A ball was crossed in from the right and, with no Saints defenders in sight, Megan Whiteford had an easy finish into an open goal. Much to the relief of the defence, she skied her effort over the crossbar from close range.

Saints started the second half brighter than how they started and finished the first half, taking the lead within a minute of the restart. Simson picked up the ball in space and the striker made her way into the box before stroking past the onrushing Gibney. 

The lead didn't last long - just 10 minutes. Cairney, who came to Rossvale this week from SWPL side Queen's Park, found herself in space and held off Romilly Cruickshank and calmly slid the ball past Cochran. 

The second half saw Saints enjoy the better of chances and larger spells of possession. Hurrell had a chance but perhaps took it too early, firing just over from outside the box.

Malcolm had a shot saved by Gibney at close range, who also had a save to make from a Leah Sidey strike from distance. Howie also had an opportunity but, again, couldn't keep her effort from going over the bar. 

With an hour played, Saints had a strong shout for a penalty when Hurrell was sent tumbling by Lynne Jackson, but referee Jordan Kinnon wasn't moved by the appeals and play continued as both Jackson and Hurrell returned to their feet. 

At the other end, Saints were defending well, with Cochran sweeping up a number of through balls and saving well from Cairney. 

With five minutes remaining, Saints took the lead for a second time. Sidey won a free kick out on the left which was taken by Howie. She whipped in an excellent ball, with Irvine's exquisite touch from eight yards out taking the ball beyond Gibney to spark celebrations among the players and fans. 

The points were almost secured just two minutes after Irvine's goal when Hurrell, opting not to take the ball into the safety of the corner and wind down the clock, unleashed a powerful strike which came off the post and behind for a goal kick. 

With the clock ticking into the 90th minute, there was a real heart-in-mouth moment for the Saints players and support. McGarvey out on the left made her way to the byline, skipping past the desperate outstretched leg of Ellie MacIver and cutting a ball back into the box where, after a bit of pinball, it fell to Cairney.

She was closed down by Irvine, but still managed to get a shot away which had Cochran beat and, from nowhere, captain Hannah Clark slid in and made a miraculous clearance off the line. 

Saints saw out the five minutes of injury time for a win which takes them four points clear of bottom side Ayr United, who they face in Cumnock next Sunday. The win means Saints have drawn level with Rossvale, but remain second bottom on account of goal difference. 

Saints: Cochran, MacIver, Cruickshank (McLean), Simson, Hurrell, Irvine, Smith, McMillan, Sidey, Malcolm (Clark), Howie.

Subs not used: Baker, Telford, Gibson, Shepherd, Paterson, West.

PHOTOS: Stuart Cowper