St Johnstone WFC returned to the McDiarmid astro on Sunday for the first time since February, but sadly it would not be a winning return as they lost 5-2 to Livingston.
There was a chance in the first minute for Saints when Kristen Taplin broke through, but her effort was over the bar. Megan Whiteford then had a shot at goal for the visitors but it was straight at Molly Grattan in the home net.
Taplin again went close for Saints, forcing a corner, which then led to a stramash in the box before being hooked clear by a Livingston defender, with the follow up shot from Niamh Irvine going wide.
After 26 minutes the deadlock was broken. A through ball split the Saints defence and Dionne Brown scored from the edge of the area.
There were a few half chances for both sides in the closing stages of the half, but neither keeper was really tested.
The second half started with Jodie Malcolm going close for Saints. However, five minutes after the restart, the hosts doubled their lead, Shivohn Honeyman with a curling finish from inside the box.
Eirinn McCafferty nearly got a goal back for Saints when she turned a strike towards goal. Eve Donald scrambled to clear it right off the line.
Taplin then made a surging run down the left, but Donald managed to get a tackle in just as she looked to get the effort in at goal.
On the hour mark, Saints pulled a goal back. Irvine was barged over by Brown, resulting in a free kick and a yellow card for the striker.
McCafferty stepped up and struck a powerful free-kick into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Chloe Gibney no chance.
Any thoughts of pushing for an equaliser were dashed a minute later when Livingston restored the two goal advantage.
A ball crossed in from the right saw Grattan make an excellent save from close range, but the ball fell to Seren McCulloch who had an easy finish from a few yards out.
Five minutes later Livingston had a fourth when Nicole Cairney was played through and she was able to hold off her marker and slip the ball under Grattan.
Saints were still creating chances. Scarlett Brady crossed in from the right and found McCafferty, who had a shot blocked. Malcolm then had a shot also blocked for a corner.
With 20 minutes left, Saints pulled another goal back. A free kick from out on the left had been cleared behind from the corner. When it was swung in, Malcolm headed the ball on and Elvie McLean volleyed home.
As the match entered into the final 15 minutes, there were chances for both sides. Emily Moran had an effort saved by Grattan before Malcolm once again saw a goal bound effort blocked.
With 10 minutes left, Livingston added a fifth. A ball played over the top from deep in the Livingston half saw Sarah McLeod beat an offside trap and chase down the ball to take the ball round Grattan and slot home.
In the final couple minutes, Bennett Luna had a header go just wide for Saints, while Parrish’s shot was saved.
There is now a break until April 26th when Stirling University are the visitors to McDiarmid.
Saints: Grattan, K. Brady, MacIver, (Bennett Luna) Burns, McLean (Aitchison), Malcolm, Irvine, McCafferty, Taplin (Parrish), Smith, S. Brady. Unused sub: Cochran
