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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ben Ramage

Midfielder Francesca Blair determined to help St Mirren Women keep pushing up the table

St Mirren Women star Francesca Blair admits she still doesn’t know how her opener against BSC Glasgow rippled the net.

But the midfielder insists she’ll take goals any way they come this season as long as they help her Buddies keep pushing up the league table.

Blair’s looping effort broke the deadlock against BSC, with the Saints going on to seal a 3-1 victory thanks to Ceara MacIntyre’s clinical brace.

The result pushed St Mirren up to sixth in the SWF League One table, having won two of their opening four fixtures.

And Blair is determined to help her side continue to improve after a positive start to their campaign.

Blair told Express Sport: “I still don’t know how that goal went in to be honest! The ball bounced on the edge of the box and I just hit it on the half volley. People were cheering before I even knew it was in the net.

“But I was pleased to get my first goal of the season and as long as they go in I guess that’s all that matters.

Blair tries her luck from distance (Alex Todd | Sportpix for SWF)

“It was a comfortable win in the end. We brought on a few more players in the second half to give them some game time, so all-in-all it was a great result for us.

“We’ve had some really tough games so far but we’re playing well at the minute. We’ve been training together for a long time now and we all play for each other. There’s a very good team relationship and that should help us have a good season this year.

“We’re improving every time we train, getting fitter all the time and hopefully we can keep improving and keep forcing our way up the table.”

A dentist in Drumchapel by trade, Blair has been with the Buddies since last September after being convinced by former teammate and current team captain Karen McCabe to make the switch to Paisley.

This weekend St Mirren Women face FC Edinburgh Women in the first round of the SWF Championship and League One Cup.

Having suffered a bruising 4-0 home defeat to the capital side already in the league, Blair is confident her teammates can take the lessons from that match into this Sunday’s tie.

Especially with the wisdom and encouragement of head coach Kate Cooper ringing in their ears.

Blair said: “I’ve known Karen a long time. We played together when we were younger so I spoke to her about moving here and it’s been great so far. The improvement here even since I’ve joined has been amazing. The last time we played FC Edinburgh the result really flattered them. It wasn’t a 4-0 game and we’ve learned a lot from that match.

“Kate really knows her stuff. She’s so experienced, especially having worked with the Scotland national team.”

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