Squad fitness praised as St Johnstone WFC strike late in extra time to defeat Livingston in Scottish Cup

St Johnstone WFC manager Jamie Reynolds gave a nod to the sports science department following Sunday’s dramatic Scottish Cup win against Livingston.

Substitute Fern Newbigging found the back of the net with just two minutes remaining of extra-time to clinch a 3-2 triumph at the Riverside.

Finishing well and pushing through the 120 minutes of football to book a second round ticket was pleasing for Reynolds and showed off the hard yards which had been put in before the competitive football started.

“I must commend both the efforts of the girls but also give credit to our sport science department as Sunday’s efforts were a direct result of the work they put in during pre-season,” he said. “Fitness wise they are in top shape.”

The day prior Saints’ men had netted late twice to bank a 2-2 draw with rivals Dundee.

“The late winner from Fern can only be described as us doing it the St Johnstone way,” Reynolds smiled.

“We made it hard for ourselves and were our own worst enemy but to get that deserved winner at the very end was exactly what the girls deserved for their efforts.

“It was similar to the men where Max and the rest of the group showed that real character and togetherness right to the final whistle.”

Steffi Simson and Elvie McLean - the latter’s finish not long before the 90 minutes was up - had netted the other goals on Sunday.

Reynolds said: “I feel we started so far off our own standards in terms of how we competed for the ball, how we ran for each other and how we helped each other on the pitch.

“But I felt the girls on the pitch and those who came into the game made a real improvement in that department, as we started to show the quality we have throughout the squad.

“Livingston have chopped and changed a lot