St Johnstone Women returned from the City of Discovery on Sunday with a well-deserved point after a hard-working team performance in a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Foundation Park.
The Saints made a bright start and had an early opportunity in the first minute through Jodie Malcolm, but her shot was blocked by two defenders as she pulled the trigger.
Malcolm, however, wouldn’t have long to wait until she opened the scoring. Five minutes in and Elvie McLean was fouled just inside the Dundee United half.
Eirinn McCafferty flighted the resulting free-kick high into the box and, as it dropped into the penalty area, Malcolm struck first time with her left foot to direct the ball beyond Annalisa McCann.
The first half saw two evenly matched sides going from end-to-end but neither keeper finding themselves greatly tested.
Danni Findlay for the hosts had a weak effort easily gathered by Bobby Cochran in the Saints goals, who also saw Findlay fire over from the edge of the area after good play down the left by United.
There was a chance that fell to former Saint Steffi Simson, but her effort curled safely wide of Cochran’s left-hand post.
Later in the half, Saints found themselves getting forward more and more. Malcolm latched onto a fine through ball and did well to get a shot away under pressure from a defender, but this time McCann was equal to the effort.
Elvie McLean played a ball out to the left for Malcolm out on the left who cut the ball back inside where Leni Parrish saw her attempt go agonisingly wide of goal.
McCafferty nearly got herself another assist when her slide rule pass split the United defence, but McCann was able to rush out and clear just as McLean looked to prod the ball home.
The home side started the second half with vigour and an opportunity fell to Katie Frew a couple minutes after the restart who lofted a ball goalwards over Cochran but there was Rebecca McMillan to head the ball away off the line.
It was from the throw-in and next phase of play that United drew level just a minute later. Rachel Todd played a ball low across the face of the goal which made its way through to the back post where Nyla Murphy found herself in space to knock the ball home.
Following that, Saints had to defend resolutely as the goal gave United a lift and they were much more on the front foot than they had been in the first forty-five. However, it was not just one way traffic. A long ball through to Niamh Irvine saw her come in off the right and have a strike at goal which went just wide. Soon after Parrish also had a shot but saw it saved by McCann.
Saints continued their passing style of football, whereas the hosts continued to play a more direct route, especially down the flanks where they delivered a number of crosses into the box.
It was through that they thought they may have taken the lead, but the assistant’s flag ruled the goal out for offside. Despite that, Saints were absorbing the pressure well.
There were a couple late opportunities for a Saints winner. Firstly, Daisy Smith did extremely well to keep the ball in play out on the right before darting down the wing with it, skipping by defenders to cross in where trialist Juliana Bennett Luna turned a shot just narrowly wide.
Then Malcolm went close again. A long ball forward from McLean on the halfway line sent the pacy forward through on goal with McCann reacting quickly to get a touch marginally ahead of Malcolm.
Saints now have a free week before Stirling University are the visitors to the McDiarmid Astro on February 22nd with a 4pm kick off.
Saints: Cochran, Jones, K.Brady, McLean, Malcolm, Irvine (Trialist), McCafferty, McMillan, Smith, Parrish (Taplin), S. Brady
Subs not used: Aitchison, Grattan.
