Kilmarnock 4-1 Queen’s Park

By David McLaughlin

Kilmarnock Women continued their impressive start to the season with a commanding 4-1 victory over Queen’s Park at Rugby Park, a result that lifts them back to the top of the SWPL2 table.

The home side entered the match sitting second in the standings and looking to maintain their strong early-season momentum. Their visitors, Queen’s Park, had also enjoyed a positive start to the campaign and began the afternoon in fourth, aiming to close the gap on the leading pack.

The opening exchanges were scrappy, with both sides struggling to find rhythm and only half-chances to show for their early efforts. However, Kilmarnock made the breakthrough in the 18th minute. After a cleared cross fell kindly to Fiona Cullie, she showed excellent footwork to evade two defenders before curling a superb finish into the top corner, giving the hosts a dream start.

Queen’s Park responded well, enjoying a spell of possession and creating several opportunities on the counterattack. Yet, despite their pressure, it was Kilmarnock who struck again before the break. Eilidh Martin delivered a deep free kick into the box, and Taylor McGlashan rose highest to head home, sending the hosts into the interval with a 2-0 advantage.

The visitors pulled one back ten minutes after the restart, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and briefly reigniting the contest. Kilmarnock, however, refused to be unsettled and continued to threaten through the wide areas, particularly via Lucie Burns, whose incisive runs repeatedly tested the Queen’s Park defence.

Their persistence paid off on 65 minutes when a flowing move involving Burns and Cullie culminated in captain Abby Robinson finishing confidently to restore Killie’s two-goal cushion.

Queen’s Park continued to battle bravely in the closing stages, but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Eilidh Martin capped off an outstanding individual display with a stunning strike from 25 yards, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 win for the Ayrshire side.

After the match, manager Jim Chapman praised his team’s attitude and commitment:

“I was pleased with the work rate, application and desire of the players,” he said. “We need to press in numbers and get players further up the pitch to make the most of our attacking play.”

The result sees Kilmarnock climb back to the summit of SWPL2, setting up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash next weekend as they travel to the capital to face Spartans.