WOMEN DEFEAT HAMILTON 2 - 1

Gavin Beith and his side are now fourth in the Scottish Building Society Scottish Women’s Premier League Two after Dundee United recorded a 2-1 win over Hamilton Academical on Sunday.

After the men's side beat the Accies 2-1 on Saturday, goals from the on fire Robyn Smith and Stina Kleppe made it a double despite Lauren Evans’s consolation. 

United kept the faith in the same side that had defeated St Johnstone and drew with Glasgow in the last seven days as they looked to move further up the league table. 

It was an exciting start to the game as both sides came out of the starting gate with intent; Holly Napier dragging a shot wide before Hamilton hit the bar within the first three minutes with a header. 

Two minutes later Napier was at it again with a dipping long range strike that was held by Accies keeper Lauren Grant. 

At the other end Lauren Evans volleyed over from a Kirstie McIntosh corner but United took control of the game for a period following this. 

Stina Kleppe and Robyn Smith both came close with three shots in quick succession but in the fourteenth minute they found the back of the net to break the deadlock. 

A Neve Guthrie cross flew over everyone’s head but was collected on the left wing by Kleppe; her ball back in was spilled by Grant and Smith was on hand to net her fifth goal of the season and her third in two games. 

United continued to hunt for a second goal following this as Smith and Erin Ross forced saves from Grant before Kleppe tried her luck from distance again but couldn’t find the target. 

The visitors attempted to get back into the game just after the half hour mark through Evans but her effort was blocked and the follow up by Nichola Sturrock hit the outside of the post before being cleared. 

Jade McLaren was controlling the midfield battle and was looking for her third of the season as she tested Grant with a low strike. 

A counter attack almost gave United what they were looking for three minutes before the break as Smith sent a cross in for Guthrie but she fired over. 

Marie Gardiner headed wide from a Megan Quinn ball a minute later but before the sides went in for the half time break United were to strike again. 

The ball was played towards goal by McLaren as Grant rushed out to get a fist to it before Smith but she could only clear it as far as Kleppe who controlled the loose ball and guided it low into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. 

After going another goal behind on the stroke of half time, the Accies were keen to get back into the game early on and did just that in the 50th minute, Darcy Molley’s cross allowing Evans to send a header past Nachman. 

Two minutes later United could, and probably should, have restored their two goal lead when Smith beat Grant to the ball but her shot hit the post and the keeper before bobbling along the line; a defender raced back to clear with Rebecca Foote milliseconds from getting her foot to it. 

McLaren had another effort blocked shortly before Foote found Smith inside the box but the attacker’s turn and shot was too weak to beat Grant.

In the 64th minute Hamilton sub Ellie Kane snatched at a loose ball but sent her shot high and wide without troubling Nachman. 

United substitute Philippa McCallum sent a corner into the box three minutes later that McLaren connected with but it was almost too high for her to direct anything on target and her header sailed out for a goal kick. 

Kleppe tried her luck again from distance with twelve minutes to go as Grant denied her with an easy save. 

Following this, Hamilton tried to put some pressure on United in order to get a late equaliser, but despite Anderson, McCormick and Brown all having a pop, they were unable to get anything on target to give Nachman anything to worry about. 

Referee Vikki Robertson blew for full time on what was an exciting game but ultimately, the three points stayed with United who were worth the victory. 

The result, giving them seven points from an available nine this week, moves them up to fourth ahead of another home game, this time against Boroughmuir Thistle next Sunday. Kick off at the Regional Performance Centre is at 3pm. 

Dundee United: Nachman, McMillan, McLaren, Guthrie (McCallum 65), Ross, Smith, Napier, Foote, Burns, Kleppe, Clemison. 

Subs not used: Robbie, Carter, Kern, Simson, Robson, Meach (gk). 

Hamilton Academical: Grant, Quinn, McTear, McIntosh, Muir, Anderson, Sturrock (Kane 62 (Cairney 75)), Molley, Evans (Brown 55), Gardiner (Trialist 54), McCormick 

Subs not used: Ross, Connolly, Quigley