Motherwell recorded their first victory of 2019 with an impressive 3-1 victory over St Johnstone.
Following up from last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle, Donald Jennow’s side went one better in the cold and windy conditions at McDiarmid Park.
It was the hosts who broke the deadlock after six minutes through their captain Jade McDonald, but ‘Well came battling back and Kerry Montgomery headed home an equaliser just after the half hour mark.
There were chances at both ends early in the second half before Chelsea McEachran fired ‘Well in front with quarter of an hour remaining and Sarah Crilly put the game beyond doubt when she swept home after 86 minutes.
The women of steel started the game brightly and there was chances for Crilly and Katie Rice before Saints took the lead.
Motherwell were caught out in possession, allowing the hosts to counter and McDonald rounded Morgan Hunter before calmly rolling the ball into the net.
A back and forth game followed with both sides creating plenty of chances, Ellie May Cowie continued to look dangerous for the home side while Montgomery was pulling the strings in midfield for the ‘Well, continuously looking to exploit the space in behind the defence.
The equaliser arrived after 32 minutes, when Montgomery rose highest to power home a header despite the best effort of the Saints defender on the line.
Hunter twice denied Cowie to ensure the game was level at the break and the former Killie keeper again produced a brilliant stop to deny the midfielder after the restart.
‘Well were also carrying a threat in attack and the ever dangerous Crilly saw her looping shot cannon back off the crossbar before Rice was denied by a good save.
With 15 minutes remaining the turnaround was complete, the Saints defence were unable to scramble clear Hayley Cunningham’s corner and McEachran smashed the ball high into the roof of the net
The game was put beyond doubt with four minutes left on the clock and it came from yet another flowing Motherwell attack.
Cunningham burst into the box brilliantly and laid the ball to Maxine Welsh who saw her shot blocked before Crilly converted to cap an excellent showing with a goal.
Motherwell get their SWPL1 campaign underway in two weeks time when they host Stirling University at Ravenscraig.