A dominant Glasgow City defeat Hamilton Accies
Glasgow City continued their impressive winning streak to defeat a hard working and organised Hamilton Accies 5-0 at Petershill Park in a match sponsored by McAdam King Business Psychology.
A stunning opening goal from Sarah Crilly gave City a half time lead, and a second half hat-trick from Suzanne Lappin and a well placed goal from Ruesha Littlejohn gave the reigning Champions all three points much to the delight of Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black.
He said, “I am delighted with the result, but also the performance as we played very well today. I asked everyone to give me 90 minutes in their performance and all players did that today and the result reflects this.”
City started the match in fine form with some great attacking play, inevitably to be foiled by Megan Cunningham in the Accies goal who was looking a composed and dominant figure in nets for the visitors.
A series of half chances came and went for City before great play by Nicky Docherty saw the City defender beat her Accies opposite number before crossing for Suzanne Malone. The City striker rose well at the back post only to see her header brilliantly clawed away from the top corner by Megan Cunningham. Ruesha Littlejohn tried to head home the loose ball, but her effort went wide.
City’s excellent play was however to be rewarded and they took the lead on 28 minutes as Sarah Crilly fired a cracking volley from the edge of the box into the top corner.
City continued to dominate play and press for a second, but Accies also continued to defend brilliantly as they had done since the referee’s first whistle.
Into the second half and on 51 minutes Suzanne Malone was brought down at the edge of the box. Leanne Ross stepped up to hit the set piece but saw her effort come back off the post. Littlejohn had the ball in the net only a few moments later, but it was ruled out for hand ball in the lead up to the shot.
City thought they had doubled their lead on 58 minutes as striker Suzanne Malone lofted the ball over Cunningham, only to see her effort come back off the cross bar.
Two minutes later and Accies had their first effort on goal as Gillian Sloey headed on to the top of the net from a corner.
Malone went agonisingly close once again moments later when she hit a brilliant volley from the edge of the box but it cannoned off the cross bar and was eventually cleared. A stunning strike from the Scotland forward but sadly for her and City it did not find the back of the net.
Eilish McSorley hit the side netting as she met a back post cross from Leanne Ross. A brilliant save from Cunningham denied Malone once more as City continued to press hard for the elusive second goal.
City’s persistence eventually paid off when sponsor’s Player of the Match, Nicky Docherty cut inside for a right foot shot. Her effort was blocked by Accies defence, with the loose ball falling to Suzanne Lappin and the City midfielder composed herself before firing an unstoppable effort past Cunningham to make it 2-0.
Only a few minutes later and Ruesha Littlejohn made it 3-0 as she coolly slotted into the bottom corner to beat the diving Cunningham.
Lappin made it 4-0 as Leanne Ross delivered a deep cross, which was headed back across the 6 yard box by Eilish McSorley, allowing Lappin to head home at the back post.
Less than 2 minutes later and Lappin got her hat-trick as she expertly headed past Cunningham from a pin point Malone cross to make it 5-0 to the home side.
An excellent victory for City who are back in action on Sunday 23rd June as they take on East Fife in the Scottish Cup. Next weekend, Scotland take on the second best side in the world as they face Germany in an international challenge match in Essen. City players Leanne Crichton, Suzanne Malone, Leanne Ross, Eilish McSorley and Jo Love are all selected as part of the 18 strong Scotland player pool making the trip. City striker Ruesha Littlejohn is selected for the Republic of Ireland as they face Austria.
Pictures by Andy Buist. Top to bottom- City celebrate Sarah Crilly's opening goal; Jo Love in action; Suzanne Malone holds off the Accies defence; Match Sponsor MK Business Psychology Player of the Match Nicky Docherty.
A full picture report will follow on our facebook page Glasgowcity.Fc
10.06.13
