A Jemma Hughes double dealt Livingston a blow in the SWPL 2, as they were defeated 2-0 at home against Gartcairn.

It was a nervy start for the hosts saw Gartcairn put a good amount of pressure on the hosts. Jess Murphy would make a crucial break whilst Schenai Gamrot was called into action to make a few saves in order to deny the visitors.

The visitors did make their pressure count, with Jemma Hughes scoring her first of the game. Livingston failed to clear the ball on a few occasions, with the ball falling to Hughes who lifted the ball over Gamrot and into the back of the net.

The Lionesses responded well to the adversity and began knocking the ball around nicely. A couple of patient plays saw Livi get into the final third for the first time but struggled to force saves from Jasmine McPhie. Livi did have the ball in the net through Lucy Watt, but the forward was considered offside.

Livingston’s good end to the first half seemed to disappear in the second half, with Gartcairn offering more of a threat again. The visitors made the most of their possession early in the second half as Jemma Hughes rounded Schenai Gamrot and fired home into an empty net.

The home side really struggled to create any chances of note to get back into the game. A driving run from Natasha Frew was the only real instance of Livi breaking into the final third and creating an opportunity.

The final act of the match saw Rachel Howie receive a red card from the sidelines, with the substituted midfielder receiving a second yellow card for throwing the ball away.

A disappointing afternoon for Livingston sees them unable to gain any points on those above them, with improvement needed ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup tie with Spartans.

Match Report: Angus Mcgregor

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