Storm Boelo threatened to put paid to St Johnstone Women’s game on Sunday afternoon, and while they maybe didn’t ‘storm’ to victory, they did eventually run out 2-1 winners through goals from Jodie Malcolm and Robyn Smith.
While a number of games fell foul of the weather, after passing an inspection Saints welcomed Renfrew Ladies to the Community Arena for the first time in very blustery conditions.
Saints started brightly with Elvie McLean and Lucy Livie both going close in the opening five minutes of the match. Jodie Malcolm was played through but Niamh Miller darted quickly from her goal to gather the ball, and upend Malcolm. Renfrew countered quickly but a fast-paced move ended with a short easily gathered by Charlotte Gates.
McLean went wide again, before Alix Moodie and Daisy Smith both saw good strikes from distance saved by Miller. Back at the other end, Abbie Dunlop also went wide for the visitors.
The deadlock was eventually broken on the half hour mark. A long ball forward split the Renfrew defence and, showing great vision, Jodie Malcolm positioned herself to intercept a backpass, turn the keeper and strike powerfully with her right foot.
Saints continued to press forward as the chances mounted up with McLean wide from a corner, Robyn Smith going agonisingly wide when one-on-one with Miller. A powerful run by Emily Tomb saw her set up Livie but she was just over with her effort.
The second half continued as the first ended, with Saints creating a number of chances. Lucy Livie cut in from the left a couple times firstly to set up Smith, and then to strike herself but her effort was just past the post. Niamh Irvine also went wide from close range on the back of an Alix Moodie free kick.
With twenty minutes of the half gone, Saints doubled their lead. Robyn Smith did well to beat an offside trap just inside the Renfrew half, and powered through on goal to fire high into the net.
Naomi McNeillie sliced an effort wide of the goal for the visitors but with fifteen minutes left, they pulled a goal back. A corner was floated into the box with Lauren McCulloch unmarked for a free header. Following this Renfrew enjoyed a spell where the game was largely being played in the Saints half, but the Saints defence remained firm.
As the game was coming to a close, Saints had started to get in the Renfrew half more often, often through Emily Tomb on the left who set up Daisy Smith for an effort at goal and Malcolm who went narrowly wide while under a great deal of pressure. Substitute Scarlett Brady curled a great strike towards goal, only to see it skiff off the crossbar. Saints then saw out the match to collect a deserved win. There is now a free week before Falkirk are the visitors to the Community Arena on November 8th.
Saints: Gates, Telford, McLean (MacIver), Malcolm, Irvine, Moodie, Livie (S.Brady), D.Smith, R.Smith, Rigby-Wilson (Shanks), Tomb
Subs not used: Sidey, K.Brady, Bennett Luna, McMillan
