Scottish Women’s Premier League
Hearts preserved their position at the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League, moving two points clear after a hard fought 2-1 victory against Rangers at Broadwood Stadium.
Eva Olid’s side appeared set for a comfortable evening when they led 2-0 at the 90-minute mark, courtesy of a Jodi McLeary own goal and a Carly Johns strike either side of half-time. However, Calliste Brookshire’s deflected stoppage time effort ensured a nervy conclusion. Hearts defended resolutely, as they had for much of the second half, to claim a vital three points against Leanne Crichton’s side.
Buoyed by their first-ever win against Glasgow City prior to the international break, Hearts started brightly on a fine evening in Cumbernauld. Captain Georgia Timms had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside, signalling the visitors’ early dominance. The breakthrough arrived just before the interval as Rangers teenager McLeary turned the ball into her own net while attempting to block Lauren Wade’s effort from a tight angle. Hearts doubled their advantage early in the second half when the industrious Johns drove a low shot past goalkeeper Jenna Fife.
Rangers controlled much of the second period and camped in the final third, yet they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well organised Hearts defence. Goalkeeper Rachael Johnstone was largely untroubled until Brookshire’s late strike. Despite pushing for an equaliser in the closing minutes, Rangers ultimately left their comeback too late.
Glasgow City moved up to second place with a straightforward 2-0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill. Leanne Ross’ side ended a four-game winless league run as defender Emma Brownlie opened the scoring with a diving header in the first half. Their lead was doubled midway through the second period when Linda Molthalo’s cross was turned into her own net by Thistle defender Addie Handley.
The result lifts City back above Rangers and to within two points of league leaders Hearts.
Hibernian secured a 1-0 victory over Celtic at Meadowbank, with Eilidh Adams converting a second half penalty. The win saw Joelle Murray get the better of her former manager, Grant Scott, in his first return to the club since leaving for Celtic back in December. Celtic side had defeated Hibernian in the Scottish Cup earlier, but there was no repeat in this league meeting.
The decisive moment came eight minutes after the break when Adams slotted home from the spot after Rosie Livingstone was fouled in the area. Murray’s team had to work hard for the three points, which extended their unbeaten league run to nine matches, with goalkeeper Noa Schumacher producing an outstanding stop in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet. The reigning champions therefore climb to fourth, level on points with Celtic but ahead of them on goal difference.
Motherwell guaranteed their SWPL place for next season with a 3-0 victory over already relegated Hamilton Academical in the final Lanarkshire derby of the season. Lucy Ronald opened the scoring in the second half, before Hamilton were reduced to ten players when Shelley Campbell received a straight red card.
Carla Boyce and Mason Blyth-Clark added further goals to complete a comfortable win for the Steelwomen.
Aberdeen saw their place in the relegation play-off confirmed following a 1-0 defeat to Montrose at Balmoral Stadium, Georgia Carter scoring the only goal of a tight contest just after the hour mark.
With two games remaining in the bottom four split, Scott Booth’s side sit nine points behind Motherwell. Aberdeen will now contest a relegation play-off final against the winner of the SWPL 2 play-off semi final.
SWPL 2
Spartans have narrowed the gap on leaders Kilmarnock to four points after beating them 2-0 at Rugby Park on Friday. Rachel Murchie opened the scoring midway through the second half and Izzy Young netted the second as Spartans continue to close in on Killie, who were runaway leaders at one stage. Boroughmuir Thistle meanwhile replaced Queen’s Park in third place when Emily Arthur’s first half strike gave them a 1-0 win in their meeting. The spoils were shared at Dundee Utd where the home side battled out a 1-1 draw with Gartcairn Women, who grabbed a late equaliser through Rachel Hollywood after an own goal had put United ahead in the eighteenth minute.
One match was played in the bottom half of the split, and it saw East Fife pick up a valuable point from a goalless draw against Livingston.
