Ladies match report

Kilmarnock Ladies 2-1 Central Girls FA

It was a truly entertaining match at Rugby Park last night with both sides throwing everything into it. Central were dominant in the first half, Killie the second in what was a great advert for the SWPL2.

Central Girls attacked the Killie goal from the outset and got a deserved lead in the ninth minute from the in form Chelsea McEachran slotting past Hunter in the Killie goal. Central hit the woodwork minutes later almost doubling their lead, luckily for Kilmarnock the rebound landed at the defender who managed to clear her lines. The midfielders on both sides worked hard trying to get a foothold of the game and a heated contest ensued. Kilmarnock carved out a clear opening in the 30th minute with Fleming creating a yard of space, but her shot flew wide of the far post.

HT 1-0 Central Girls

The halftime team talk in the Kilmarnock dressing room must've been explosive because that's how the home side came out in the second period. Stewart Hall's team  were a different animal first in the tackle, quicker movement of the ball and sharper passing. It was a notable vast improvement in terms of quality but this was what was required if they were going to get anything from the game. After some pressure Kilmarnock equalised following a Ponton corner. The ball broke in the box and Colette Fleming prodded the ball home 1-1 and game on. With their tails up and in the ascendency, Kilmarnock began dominating the game forcing Central deep in their own half but defending brilliantly at times. The decisive goal came after Abby Robinson was upended in the box after some tremendous wing wizardry by the youngster. Sara Paterson converted the resultant penalty 2-1 Kilmarnock. Both teams fought for every single ball right up until the final minute of the game.

The amount of energy used by the players was evident when they trudged off the pitch shattered at the final whistle. A brilliant game of two halves and credit to the young Central squad in the way they got the ball down and tried to play football in the right manner. However, it was the home side who were to be commended for coming back from a goal down to take the 3 points and set themselves up for their next match at home to Glasgow Girls.