Seventh heaven for Fife ladies over Falkirk

East Fife Ladies......................7

East Fife travelled to Falkirk Stadium for a League Cup quarter final tie to face a side they have failed to beat on their previous three encounters

Liz Anderson returned to the squad after a month’s absence for international commitments, but more importantly Smith moved from the reserves to replace absent goalkeeper Walas.

The Fifers suffered a blow when Dawson was injured in the warm up, but ensured that they were not affected by this, by getting off to the best possible start when Skivington netted within four minutes.

Her right footed shot across the goalkeeper was unstoppable.

Within two minutes Fife were two ahead.

Nicholson made an excellent run down the right before firing a great right footed shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

The Fife defence were tested on the break, but the third Fife goal came from great link up between the midfield.

Tennant spotted a run from Clark and threaded an inch perfect pass between the Falkirk defence.

Despite the advancing keeper, Clark just got their first to slide the ball under the her.

With a comfortable lead, Fife appeared to take their foot off the gas and Falkirk were causing problems with their pace down the flanks.

Falkirk got a well deserved goal when Fife lost the ball high up the pitch and, having lost their shape, left a 2v2 at the back.

The Falkirk striker raced clear, and slotted beyond Smith.

Fife looked to put the game beyond Falkirk and the next goal was crucial.

It came courtesy of Skivington in the 57th minute after a Tennant pass released her on the left, and she showed great composure to fire home.

Ten minutes later Skivington got her hat-trick again after good play in middle of the park, she raced clear on the right and shot low under the keeper.

Within three minutes she had her fourth after a good pass from midfield sent her through before beating two players with pace and shooting inside the post.

She saved her best and fifth goal until the end and with ten minutes of the game remaining, latched on to a Wheatley pass before beating a defender, bringing the ball back on to her left foot, and finding the top corner from the edge of the box.

Anderson said, “I think this may well be our best performance of the season so far. I was pleased with our passing and the quality of our goals. I was disappointed to concede, but Falkirk were good value for their goal. We will now await the semi final draw, where we will either meet Hibs, Celtic or Motherwell at the end of May.”