It was another fascinating weekend in the Scottish Building Society SWPL.
In SBS SWPL 1, Stirling University’s game with Hamilton Academical was postponed while the top three all won their games. In SBS SWPL 2, Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale picked up their first win of the season and St Johnstone moved up to third after beating Hearts.
Scottish Building Society SWPL 1
Rangers 1-2 Hibernian
Hibernian kept up their 100% record this season with a win over Rangers, but they were made to work for it.
They took the lead in the 13th minute when Rachel McLauchlan’s deflected cross was headed in by Lia Tweedie. Lucy Graham also had a couple of good chances in the first half, but it remained 1-0 at half-time.
Then, two minutes into the second half, Rangers equalised through a wonderful strike from Jade Gallon from the edge of the box. After the hour mark, they could have taken the lead through a bizarre own goal but it remained level.
Soon after, Hibs retook the lead after Kirsty Smith’s shot hit off the crossbar and Katey Turner managed to score from the rebound. The Edinburgh side nearly added to their lead when Graham had an effort cleared off the line.
With only a few minutes remaining, Rangers thought they’d equalised when Jenna Clark put the ball into the net. However, it was ruled offside and Hibs held on to take all three points.
? | Hibernian Head Coach @kevin2781 gave his thoughts on today’s performance, Harrison’s return from injury and #TheBeastFromTheEast after the 2-1 victory over Rangers pic.twitter.com/P8PA74NRPT
— Hibernian Ladies FC (@HibsLadies) March 11, 2018
Forfar Farmington 0-2 Celtic
Celtic remain third as they got back to winning ways. After a goalless first half, they took the lead in the 61st minute when Claire Adams scored her first goal for the club as she blasted the ball into the top corner from outside the box.
Then, in the 77th minute, they doubled their lead when captain Kelly Clark scored from close range.
The result means that Forfar Farmington drop down one place to fifth.
??? | PICTURES | @Farmington_FC v @CelticFCWomen https://t.co/jDSV4FpwhT pic.twitter.com/mtXJGKnjYm
— David Young (@davidyoungphoto) March 12, 2018
Spartans 1-4 Glasgow City
Glasgow City remain top of the table after beating Spartans 4-1 in a physical encounter.
Abbi Grant took the lead in the 29th minute with a header that found the bottom corner. Seven minutes later, they doubled their lead when Nicola Docherty’s cross picked out Grant but her shot hit the post. Thankfully for City, Kirsty Howat was there to place the ball into the back of the net.
In the 55th minute, Grant scored her second goal of the game and her 50th for the club from a half-volley.
Spartans pulled a goal back two minutes later through Megan Foley’s own-goal, the first goal City have conceded in 10 months.
City regained a three-goal cushion in the 84th minute with Howat scoring her second of the game, poking the ball in from a free-kick.
Stirling University P-P Hamilton Academical
This match was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Scottish Building Society SWPL 2
EUHV 5-1 Glasgow Girls
Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale (EUHV) picked up their first win of the season after beating Glasgow Girls 5-1 with an impressive performance.
Their opening goal came minutes after Glasgow Girls had a goal ruled out for offside and in the 21st minute, EUHV doubled their lead after Yesemin Emek finished a superb counter-attack.
In the second half, Beth Macleod scored their third goal after a powerful drive but minutes later, Glasgow Girls pulled a goal back after a clever free-kick move allowed Samantha Macpherson to score.
Late on, Anna Hume converted a one-on-one chance to make it 4-1 before Nichola Sturrock converted a late penalty.
The win sees EUHV move up to fifth whilst Glasgow Girls remain bottom of the table without a point.
Words from Head Coach Mike Ross ? 'Delighted with the win. Players have been fantastic in training and we took that into the game. We have high standards and felt we should have scored more' 1/2 pic.twitter.com/BhYT9l3aGx
— EUHV Womens Football (@EUHVFootball) March 11, 2018
Kilmarnock 1-0 Aberdeen
Kilmarnock remain top of the SBS SWPL 2 after a highly impressive 1-0 win over Aberdeen.
After a goalless first half, Aberdeen had a chance to take the lead when they won a penalty. However, Megan Reid missed the spot-kick when the Kilmarnock keeper made a stunning save.
Minutes after coming on, Claire Docherty found the back of the net for Kilmarnock with a lovely finish.
The loss means that Aberdeen drop down to sixth place after one win and two defeats in the league.
After match comments from head coach @stewarthall1 on the victory over Aberdeen. @OfficialKillie @SWPL pic.twitter.com/CKeQiDhEc6
— FC Kilmarnock Ladies (@FCKilmarnockLFC) March 12, 2018
Motherwell 3-1 Central Girls
Motherwell moved up to second after beating Central Girls 3-1.
It was the away side that took the lead in the 9th minute through a Motherwell own goal. But, eight minutes later, Motherwell equalised after winning a penalty which was converted by Hayley Cunningham.
Kerry Montgomery put the home side in front with a stunning strike and ten minutes before full-time, it was 3-1 to Motherwell after Mulvey scored her seventh goal of the season.
The defeat means that Central Girls drop down to seventh place.
“We said we wanted to make our home venue a tough place to come for anybody and we’ve backed it up with the win."@edblack65 speaks after the 3-1 victory over @CentralGirlsFA.https://t.co/1CuuVUH8uL pic.twitter.com/OAHPdiSlrA
— Motherwell LFC (@MotherwellLFC) March 11, 2018
St Johnstone 3-1 Hearts
St Johnstone moved up to third place in the SBS SWPL 2 after beating Hearts 3-1.
Hearts took the lead in the 17th minute through Jennifer Smith’s wonder strike but just before half-time, Laura Dunn equalised through a stunning free-kick.
St Johnstone took the lead with 59 minutes played when Hannah Clark picked out the far corner and in second-half stoppage time, Eilidh McIntyre beat a defender before placing the ball past the Hearts’ keeper to round off the scoring.
The loss means that Hearts drop down to fourth place.
