Scottish Women’s Premier League
Hibernian returned to the summit of the Scottish Women’s Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Rangers in a crucial top-of-the-table clash at Meadowbank Stadium, with five games remaining.
Kathleen McGovern opened the scoring in the ninth minute, heading in Eilidh Adams’ cross past Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife. Rangers had a Kirsty Howat goal disallowed for a foul prior to Hibs’ opener. The hosts doubled their lead ten minutes before half time when Stacey Papadopoulos fired a low shot from the edge of the box through Fife’s hands into the bottom corner.
The win moves Hibs two points clear of Rangers and three ahead of third placed Glasgow City, who were held to a goalless draw by Hearts at Oriam. Hearts threatened early, with Georgia Timms forcing a diving save from City goalkeeper Lee Gibson straight from kick off. Despite chances for both sides, neither could find a breakthrough. The result, combined with Hibs’ win, sees City fall one point behind Rangers in the title race.
Celtic meanwhile secured a 1-0 victory over Motherwell at K Park, courtesy of Maria McAneny’s 64th-minute free kick. Celtic squandered numerous chances in the first half and struggled to convert in the second. McAneny’s direct free kick from just outside the box proved decisive, but Elena Sadiku’s side failed to add to their tally despite further opportunities. Celtic remain outside the top three, eight points off the pace with five games left.
Partick Thistle solidified their position at the top of the SWPL’s bottom six with a 1-0 victory against Spartans. The first half was cautious, with both teams wary of the relegation battle. Tiree Burchill, who scored the winner against Queen’s Park in midweek, broke the deadlock in the second half with a powerful strike from the edge of the area. Spartans tested Thistle goalkeeper Jeni Currie but could not find an equaliser.
Montrose boosted their fight for SWPL survival with a 1-0 win against Dundee United at Foundation Park. Jade McLaren’s 60th minute goal proved the difference, moving Montrose within five points of Spartans above the relegation zone. United, already relegated following a loss to Partick Thistle last weekend, could not respond.
Queen’s Park’s relegation to SWPL 2 was confirmed after a 5-2 defeat to Aberdeen. Kerry Beattie opened the scoring for Aberdeen in the eighth minute, followed by captain Hannah Stewart’s goal four minutes later and Eva Thomson made it three before half time. Sophie Rutherford pulled one back for Queen’s Park, but Thomson’s second restored the three-goal cushion. Ami Robertson scored to make it 4-2, but Emily Kraft’s late strike sealed Aberdeen’s 5-2 win.
SWPL 2
Kilmarnock stepped up their challenge with a 2-1 victory against leaders Hamilton Academical, narrowing the gap to two points in the process. Two goals in the opening ten minutes from Lucie Burns and Abby Robinson carried Killie to three important points, despite Josephine Giard pulling a goal back for the Accies in injury time. Boroughmuir Thistle are a further three points adrift in third after they ran out 5-0 winners over St Johnstone, Becky Galbraith was on target twice along with Cara Borthwick, Holly Aitchison and Emily Reid. Gartcairn Women are on target for a top half finish after they defeated Livingston 4-0, thanks to a Rebecca McGowan hat-trick and Tara McGonigle, whilst in the meeting of the bottom two, Rossvale put a gap of five points between themselves and Ayr Utd when a late strike from Megan Whiteford earned them a 1-0 win.
