Livingston WFC 0-3 Gartcairn WFC
Our first home fixture of 2024 ended in defeat as Gartcairn took away a 3-0 victory at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. Goals from Kirsty Jackson, Morgan Anderson and Rebecca McGowan awarded the away side the three points in a tough afternoon in West Lothian.
Livingston made no changes following last week’s defeat to league leaders Hamilton, but there was space on the bench for new signing Nina Hegarty. The game provided home debuts for the new arrivals Lily Park and Ellie Osborne.
Kaitlyn Canavan had the game’s first opportunity with a shot from outside the box, but the attempt was no problem for Lucy Inman. Gartcairn threatened down the right-hand side with Emma Lawson getting into good positions. The winger broke through on a couple of occasions but mishit her strikes at the crucial moments.
Gartcairn did open the scoring in the 12th minute through Kirsty Jackson. A free kick wasn’t dealt with and after a bit of a stramash, the defender was able to poke home from close range.
The away side gained confidence from the goal and continued to threaten. Rachel Pirie made a good save to deny Rebecca McGowan before a deflected effort hit the post and bounced clear.
The Lionesses went into half time a goal down and with an injury as Summer Laird was unable to continue, making way for Jess Murphy.
It was the away side who started brightest in the second half, with Lawson again causing issues. The winger’s cross was met by Morgan Anderson whose first-time strike found the bottom corner.
The Lionesses grew into the game as the half went on, with the best chance falling to Erin Burns. A line breaking run from substitute Mya Goodman saw her find Ellie Osborne on the left wing. Osborne cut back to the emerging Burns but the effort went just wide.
Kaitlyn Canavan also struck the bar for Livi before Gartcairn were awarded a penalty. Kaela McDonald-Nguah stepped up but fired wide to give Livi a glimpse of hope.
Unfortunately, Livingston weren’t able to capitalise as the away side added a third just before full time. Midfielder Rebecca McGowan broke into the box and calmly slotted the ball beyond Rachel Pirie to seal the game for the Airdrie side.
The defeat for Livingston sees us remain in 5th place whilst Gartcairn move up to 3rd in the SWPL 2.
Match report: Angus McGregor
LIVINGSTONPirie, Park, Walkingshaw, Laird (Murphy 45), Frew © ▊, Burns, Dodds (Hegarty 56), McArthur, Osborne ▊(Morgan 79), Elizabeth (Goodman 56), Canavan Subs not used: |
GARTCAIRNInman, Boyce, Wilson ©, Wands (Simpson 83), Lawson (Wilson 64), McGonigle (Healy 83), Jackson, McGowan, Carter, Maxwell ▊, Anderson (McDonald-Ngua 74) Subs not used: Goals: |