Falkirk promoted to SWPL2 after play-off final victory against East Fife as head coach hails heroes

Falkirk FC Women will play SWPL2 football next season after a 2-1 play-off final victory over East Fife on Thursday evening at the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie.

The Bairns bounced back from finishing second in the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship with a strong end to the league season, beating champions Renfrew Ladies, and they made sure that they marked a historic season with something to celebrate. The team currently play under the umbrella of the Falkirk Foundation but that will change over this summer when they join the Falkirk FC family.

And captain Anna Murray got Craig Tully’s side off to a great start in North Lanarkshire after 13 minutes, heading home from a corner kick. Falkirk had the better of the first half, and they could have added to their one-goal advantage. In the second half, the Fifers - who only finished second-bottom in the SWPL after a last-gasp final day defeat to St Johnstone - equalised through Brodie Rigby-Wilson on 57 minutes. Another corner kick, this time up the other end, was well met.

Falkirk found themselves in front again after 68 minutes when Caitlin McFarlane slammed home from close range. A stramash in the penalty area saw goalkeeper Sophia Anderson stranded and eventually the forward managed to put her side 2-1 up. The Bairns continued to push, and they should have been two up soon after. Anderson made a brilliant save down low while an effort smashed off the post moments later.

And it wasn’t too difficult an ending for Falkirk, although they did have skipper Murray to thank after she capped off a strong showing with a brilliant block to deny a dangerous effort with eight minutes to go.

Speaking to the Falkirk Herald after the play-off success, head coach Craig Tully expressed his utter delight, admitting that he was speechless.

“It is an unbelievable achievement,” he said. “To reach the SWPL is amazing and it comes on the back of another massive thing with the team joining the football club proper. That in itself would have made this a really memorable season. But to go and top that off with promotion is just brilliant. I am bit speechless to be honest. It is a lot to take in.

Former East Stirlingshire gaffer Tully joined Falkirk four years ago and highlighted just how important the summer switch to joining the football club from the foundation is for everyone involved.

“It has been a slow process since I joined the club,” he added. “It was something I strived for and wanted to happen clearly. But the club are right on board now and I am just delighted that the process has happened. The backing from the club board has been fantastic and it bodes for a bright future. I am loving being here and enjoying what I do with my coaching staff. The guys and girls put in so many hours that are not seen, including myself, and its been a big effort over the past few years. We’ve had players here for a long time and it is credit to them too for sticking with us. We have great facilities and things to offer players that hopefully attract them to us in SWPL2, and being part of the club will only further that now.”

On the 2-1 win, the head coach hailed skipper Murray for her showing: “We started the game well. Anna got the goal for us and we were on control it felt but then they get the goal back at the start of the second half. We had to dig in for 5-10 minutes. Anna is a great leader and she helped us get through that and then made a brilliant block towards the end when were 2-1 up after Caitlin’s goal.”

Falkirk’s SWPL2 fixtures for season 2026/27 will be published on Friday, 26 June at 12 noon. The league season will begin on Sunday, August 16.

Team information: East Fife 1-2 Falkirk

East Fife: S Anderson, Corke, Thomas, Rigby-Wilson (57’), Healy, Skivington, Shaw, Clark, Guppy, Wallace, H Anderson.

Subs: Warrender, Campbell, Davie, Luke, Walker, Haggett, Harrow, Gray.

Falkirk: McCroary, Ross, Murray, Murphy (13’), Mason, Lynch, Munro, McFarlane (68’), Townsend, Bryce, Hegarty.

Subs: Reeve, Sludden, Smith, Lawson, Snell, McArthur, Wick.

Attendance: 272.

Referee: Calum Foreman.

FH POTM: Anna Murray.