Brett Forrest Match Report - Glenrothes Strollers

Our Womens Team Media Officer, Brett Forrest, was at yesterday's game. His report is below.

Edinburgh South and Glenrothes Strollers played out a tense 2-2 draw in a top of the table clash at Holy rood on Sunday.

With South going into the game three points behind the unbeaten Glenrothes, but with a better goal difference, this was the most important game of the season and one where any result would have important repercussions for the remainder of the campaign.

Due to the crucial nature of the match, the game started quite scrappy with neither team able to get into a groove. Seventeen minutes in, however, Glenrothes found the opener after volleying in a shot.

Neither team could fashion out any real chances in the remainder of the half and so South trailed 1-0 going into the break.

Substitutions and a change of formation seemed to help South in the second half, however. In the 59th minute, Louise Tulloch, who took over the captaincy after Emily Reynolds left the pitch at half-time, took possession of the ball after a quick free kick near the halfway line. Charging forward, she whipped in a perfect ball which Rhea Kilgallon got on the end of, bringing South level and adding yet another goal to her already remarkable tally for the season.

The lead did not last long as three minutes later, a scrap for the ball in the middle of the park went Glenrothes’ way. A quick attack up the pitch resulted in a shot across goal which hit the post and fell to a Glenrothes player who tapped the ball into an empty net.

With five minutes remaining, South were still trailing. And then, a free kick went South’s way. Up stepped Louise who rifled the ball into the top corner scoring one of the goals of the season. And one of the most important.

With the match level, the final few minutes became a nervy affair. In the last minute, a Glenrothes throw in was put in the box. It looked dangerous but Rachel Fleming was brave, strong and commanding and dealt with the ball well, even getting injured in the process. That was the last moment of the game with the final whistle putting an end to what was a close tie.

The game was not quite a must-win, but it was certainly a mustn’t-lose and that is exactly what Edinburgh South did. A loss would have left the team six points behind and a mountain to climb. Instead, a well-earned draw has left a hill to climb. And one which, if they continue to display the resolve and character that was shown in this game, South will ascend come the end of the season.