A strong 2nd half sees off Hutchison Vale
A strong second half performance ensured Glasgow City returned from Edinburgh with a 9-0 victory over Hutchison Vale, maintaining their 100% campaign so far. A powerful strike from Fiona Brown gave City the lead, before Republic of Ireland international, Denise O’Sullivan made it 2-0 just after the half hour mark. A further seven goals in the second half from Leanne Ross (2), Fiona Brown, Suzanne Lappin, Abbi Grant, Leanne Crichton and a first goal for the club from Cheryl McCulloch finished off the impressive win for the top of the table side.
Commenting on his side’s performance, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “The reality is that away matches are all about getting a hold of the ball early on, dominating play and I felt we did that today. We went in 2-0 at half time and we were worthy of probably being more up by the break, but certainly in the second half our power play in front of goal was excellent. We are really happy to get the three points and it is another clean sheet for the whole team.”
City stormed to the perfect start with Fiona Brown netting after only 2 minutes on the clock. Abbi Grant won the ball on the half way line and played in Brown on the left hand side and the in-form City striker drove into the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Ashley Watson in the Buchan goal.
Brown was unlucky not to double her side’s lead moments later as she cracked a terrific effort from the edge of the box off the cross bar.
A set piece provided City with their next goal. A training ground free kick involving Leanne Ross and Suzanne Lappin, set up O’Sullivan and the City player made no mistake with a cool finish from inside the box.
Despite creating numerous chances in the first half, City were unable to add to their lead, but some half time tactical changes provided dividends as the away side made it 3-0 seconds after the re-start. Grant made her way across the by-line, but her effort was cleared off the line only as far as Leanne Ross and the City Captain made no mistake as she fired past Watson and her recovering defenders.
Ross quickly made it 4-0 converting from the penalty spot after Grant was fouled in the box and two minutes later became provider as her pin point free kick was headed home by Suzanne Lappin.
The energetic Brown got her second of the game and City’s fifth when she coolly converted past Watson on 54 minutes.
City then made a series of substitutions and the influx of new faces quickly made an impact with Cheryl McCulloch scoring her first goal for the club on 69 minutes. From a City corner, Hutchie cleared off the line, Lappin collected and showed a mature head by setting up McCulloch to power a shot into the back of the net in a crowded penalty box.
Abbi Grant scored her third of the season and City’s eighth of the match as she latched on to a McCulloch flick on to shoot past Watson.
With four minutes remaining the Champions made it 9-0 as Leanne Crichton rose highest to head home a City corner and round off the perfect away day for her side.
Glasgow City take their 100% record into next weekend’s mouth watering SWPL match with second placed Rangers. The match is on Sunday 25th May at Petershill Park, 2pm. Adults £5, Concessions £3 and Kids Under 16 go free.
Picture of Leanne Ross and Denise O'Sullivan celebrating by Andy Buist.
18.05.14
