Scottish Women’s Premier League
Rangers came from behind to win the season's first SWPL Old Firm derby 5-2 against Celtic, moving three points clear at the top and maintaining their perfect start after six league matches.
Celtic struck first on 12 minutes when Poppy Lawson's delivery was not dealt with, leaving Maria McAneny unmarked to head in brilliantly. The early setback seemed to galvanise Rangers, who were soon level through Laura Berry's pinpoint cross, which sat up perfectly for Jodie McLeary to volley in. Calliste Brookshire then pounced on a loose pass and set up McLeary for her second, putting the hosts in front for the first time. Celtic started the second half well and drew level after getting the better of a goalmouth scramble, Chloe Arthur firing in from close range. Rangers responded strongly though, Katie Wilkinson coming close twice before Hannah Blake – barely on the pitch – reacted quickest to a slack pass and finished coolly. Wilkinson then curled in a magnificent free kick, and Brookshire, whose energy had driven the Rangers side all afternoon, raced into the area to score the fifth and final goal. It was a first defeat of the season for Grant Scott's Celtic.
Glasgow City scored twice late on to come from two goals down and salvage a 2-2 draw against reigning champions Hearts. The visitors' energy and pressing caused City problems all afternoon, and they took the lead when Mariana Speckmaier charged down Erin Clachers' attempted clearance, the ball ricocheting off her into the net. Hearts hit the bar twice before the break through Monica Forsyth and Speckmaier, and Kayla Jardine's header, deflected off Lisa Evans, doubled their lead. City responded well, though, and Emily Gray raced onto a lovely through ball to pull one back, her shot trundling over the line after beating Rachael Johnstone's outstretched hand. The Hearts keeper could do nothing about the equaliser, Jesi Rossman's superb long range strike proving unstoppable for her first goal for the club.
Hibernian made it back-to-back SWPL wins as they heaped more misery on struggling Aberdeen. Libby Smith, fresh from her hat-trick last weekend, put Hibs ahead before being indirectly involved in the second, her presence forcing Aberdeen defender Selin Cemal to turn Yuliia Khrystiuk's low drive into her own net. The win moves Hibs onto 13 points, five behind leaders Rangers, while Aberdeen are still searching for their first point and sit joint bottom with Montrose.
Partick Thistle scored three times in six second half minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit and seal a 3-2 victory against Montrose. The visitors led at half time and looked on course for their first points of the season through Hannah Stewart's shot from outside the area and they extended their advantage early in the second period when Georgia Carter headed in. Thistle were back in the game just after the hour mark through Abby Robinson, and Sienna McGoldrick soon levelled from close range before grabbing her second to secure Thistle's second league win of the season.
Spartans also picked up their second win of the season with a hard fought 2-0 victory at Motherwell. Both sides came into the match following defeats, and with only a point separating them, a tight contest was expected – and so it proved, with shots on target few and far between in the first half. Spartans finally broke the deadlock as the hour approached, Izzy Young finding Niamh Noble, who fired home. Then, with two minutes remaining, Olivia Hurrell's strike secured an impressive win on the road. Spartans remain seventh but move onto seven points, while Motherwell have now sustained three successive losses.
SWPL 2
Boroughmuir Thistle dropped points for the first time this season but still remain a point ahead at the top of the table. A Holly Aitchison penalty gave them a second half lead against St Johnstone, who hit back shortly afterwards to earn themselves a share of the spoils with an equaliser from Emily Shanks. Kilmarnock are hard on their heels in second place after Laura McLaughlin, Louise Cowan and Cara Gray gave them a 3-1 win away to Hamilton Academical, whose consolation came from Oluwadara Ositelu. Queen’s Park replace Falkirk in third place after beating them 5-1, Rebecca McAllister was on target twice along with Ellie Kane, Summer Thomson and Nicole Cairney, with Lucia McIntyre replying. Clare Docherty, Sarah-Jane Arr and Rebecca Simpson accounted for the goals as Gartcairn Women won 3-1 against Renfrew, who netted a consolation through Becky Downs, meanwhile Livingston ended a run of five straight defeats by picking up their first point from a 3-3 draw with Dundee United. Kaitlyn Canavan netted twice and Aby Pickard the other for Livi, with United netting through Steffi Simson, Lucy Stevenson and Georgie Robb.
Photo - Lisa Forrest (right) on the attack for Glasgow City against Partick Thistle (SWPL/Colin Poultney)
