St Mirren Women head coach Kate Cooper was proud to see so many Buddies come together to support the club at the SMiSA Stadium.
The Saints welcomed Stenhousemuir for their much-anticipated second game at the Paisley team’s ground this season.
Striker Ceara Macintyre fired the hosts ahead early on after pouncing on a goalkeeper error from a free-kick, with Stenny’s Lucia Zamorano levelling things up with a screamer from distance.
While Cooper was content with a point, the dedicated coach was more pleased to see the entire community turning out in numbers to cheer on the club.
She told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It was a brilliant day. There was a family feel to it and the atmosphere was terrific.
“I think a draw was reflective of the game as a whole. We had spells where we dominated and played really well when we were fully focused.
“We missed a few good chances and their goal was a stunning finish from outside the box. Sometimes there’s not much you can do and you have to hold your hands up to efforts like that.
“For me, the biggest positive was the crowd and the atmosphere. We had around 300 attend which was up from the first game despite the Old Firm Scottish Cup game being on at the same time.
“Our Under-14s were the ball attendants and our younger players were mascots. The Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron was also there and players from our ASN team, too.
“There was such a family feel to the day and it really felt like we were bringing the community together.
“I told the Under-14s players this could be them one day, getting to experience playing at the stadium and their faces lit up.
“I have no doubt they’ll go on to achieve that and it felt like a very special day for us and St Mirren as a whole club.”
Cooper was particularly pleased for goalscorer Macintyre who has overcome a serious ACL injury to represent the club she’s supported her whole life.
She said: “It meant so much for Ceara to score that goal at the stadium. It’s great for the fans too because they recognise her as one of their own.
“St Mirren was the focal point for her to get back into football and that chance has really driven her on.”
The Buddies have just one game remaining of their impressive SWF League One campaign having made it into the top six after finishing second-bottom of the table last season.
Cooper admits her side will need a well-earned rest after their trip to face league champions FC Edinburgh bookends a gruelling campaign.
She added: “You could see the players were tiring towards the end of the game, which isn’t surprising at all.
“That was our 30th game all in this season and that’s a huge demand on players who are also working full-time jobs.”
READ MORE:
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
