There was disappointment for St Johnstone Women on Sunday, losing out by the odd goal in seven to Dundee United, with an injury time winner for the visitors.
It was the visitors who took the lead after just eight minutes. A Georgie Robb cross from the left was headed back across goal by Nicola Jamieson to Lucy Stevenson to head home from close range.
The almost frantic speed of the first half with both teams showing attacking intent saw Saints go close to a leveller two minutes later, Jodie Malcolm forcing Annalisa McCann into a save.
The ball was punched clear at the resulting corner and knocked back to midfield, where Saints won it back. A long ball from Klara Brady was met by Malcolm on the left who played a low ball in for Robyn Smith to tap home after 12 minutes.
Ten minutes later, Saints had a second. A quickly taken free kick outside the Saints penalty area was launched forward, Lucy Livie collecting the ball in on the left, making her way to the area and a low ball in again for Smith to get her second.
Five minutes later, Saints had a third. Livie did well to keep a ball in play at the byline, knocking back to Elvie McLean who crossed to Malcolm at the back post for an easy finish.
United still had chances, with Megan Sidey forced into a few good saves, and Becky McMillan clearing an effort off the line in the closing minutes of the half.
Five minutes after the interval, United pulled a goal back. Beating the offside trap, Alma Codegoni raced through with Sidey pushing her strike onto the cross bar but Steffi Simson nipped in to score the rebound.
Codegoni got her goal – and United’s third – five minutes later when she intercepted a back pass and darted towards goal slotting the ball beyond Sidey.
Saints in truth hadn’t created the same amount of chances, or problems, for Dundee United as they had in the first half. However, they went close with Robyn Smith but she couldn’t keep her header on target. A scramble in the box saw a McLean effort deflected onto the crossbar, and Emily Tomb’s rebound saved by McCann.
At the other end, Sidey again had some saves to make to keep the game level.
Into injury time and United won a couple of corners, the second one resulting in a scramble in the box with former Saint Jamieson netting a late United winner.
Saints face Kilmarnock at Townhead Park, Ardrossan next Sunday with a 1pm kick off.
Saints: Sidey, Telford (Irvine), K.Brady, MacIver (Shanks), McLean, Malcolm, Moodie, Livie (D.Smith) McMillan, R.Smith, Tomb(Rigby-Wilson)
Subs not used: Gates, Taplin, Parrish
