City defeat Spartans and win SWPL for 5th year in a row
Re Glasgow City lifted the SWPL title for a phenomenal 5 years in a row after defeating Spartans 6-1 in Edinburgh.
Having won every League match so far this campaign, City have won the title with three games to spare and can now look forward to their second leg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last 32 match against Valur Reykjavik in Iceland on Thursday, knowing that domestic matters are now all tied up.
City got off to the perfect start scoring in less than five minutes when Rachel Corsie cut the ball back from the touchline to defensive partner Danica Dalziel to fire home from inside the 6 yard box.
Seconds later a great run by Jo Love was found by Kat Lindner and only an excellent stop from Rachel Harrison in the Spartans goals, denied Love doubling the visitors lead.
Harrison produced a great one handed save on 25 minutes to put a Christie Murray effort over the bar, but she could do nothing to prevent City’s second goal as Emma Woolley sent a neat chip over the defence to Jo Love and the City and Scotland midfielder fired the ball low into the back of the net.
Three minutes later and Love got her second of the match and City’s third with an exquisite lob over Harrison after a well placed pass into her run by Dalziel.
Half time 0-3
Not long after the restart and Spartans got a goal back in the most bizzare of fashions as City gifted a goal through a misplaced pass which came back off their own post and into the path of Hayley Lauder, who finished from a yard out despite the best efforts of City Captain Rachel Corsie.
Christie Murray restored City’s three goal cushion when she drilled home a free kick after Jo Love was fouled at the edge of the box.
The City striker then got another when she hit another impressive right foot shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, leaving Harrison no chance.
The score finished 6-1 after Lisa Evans raced on to a great pass from Corsie before rounding Harrison and finishing with ease.
Commenting on his side’s achievements, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “I couldn’t be any prouder of this group of players, especially winning the title on the back of 17 straight wins. If I am honest, the celebrations were subdued in the dressing room as the team are well aware of the big match coming up on Thursday and all of their focus is on that game. I am delighted for every player at the club, but particularly for our new signings, who are picking up their first ever League title – Christie Murray, Amy McDonald, Danica Dalziel, Ciara Barnes, Lee Alexander and Emma Woolley. A big thank you has to go to our backroom staff who work tirelessly at this club to make it the success it is and we look forward to hopefully achieving only greater things in to come.”
Pic of Jo Love by Lorraine Hill.
02.10.11
