City get maximum points at Spartans 
Champions Glasgow City continued their 100% start to the season with three points away from home against Spartans.
Goals from Leanne Crichton, Leanne Ross and Julie Nelson put City well ahead, before Spartans pulled one back right on half time from the penalty spot to make the final score 1-3. With a growing injury list, including five Scotland stars sidelined, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black was delighted to get maximum points from a difficult venue.
He said, “I thought we started the game very well and controlled and dominated the first half completely and to be honest I felt the referee gave them a lifeline in awarding a penalty I don’t think many saw. In the second half Spartans pushed on and gave it a good go, but we limited them and had chances to kill it ourselves. We are happy enough with three points away to a potential top four side and given our limited squad right now, I am very pleased with that.”
City got off to the perfect start in the third minute, when Leanne Crichton, starting her first game back after injury, cracked a shot from 20 yards into the back of the net. Julie Nelson sent Leanne Ross free down the right and the City and Scotland star pulled an inch perfect pass back to Crichton to score her first goal of the season.
On 15 minutes, Glasgow City were 2-0 ahead. Great play by Abbi Grant down the left hand side, saw the City striker beat the full back before crossing to Leanne Ross who slotted past Harrison from inside the box.
City continued to press for a third and enjoyed a series of corners and it was from such a set piece where they scored again as centre half Julie Nelson rose highest to head a Leanne Ross corner in off the underside of the cross bar.
On the stroke of half time the home side got a goal back. Denise O’Sullivan was adjudged to have fouled Spartans Kerry Montgomery just inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Spartans striker Sarah Ewens made no mistake and side footed past Alexander to reduce the deficit at the break.
The home side came more into the game in the second half, but had few chances to beat Alexander and put City under real pressure. At the other end O’Sullivan and Grant went very close for City, but in the end neither side could find the back of the net and the match finished with maximum points heading back to Glasgow.
Pictured - Top to bottom - City's Cheryl McCulloch on the ball, Emma Fernon leads the charge forward, Abbi Grant puts pressure on the Spartans defence.
30.03.14
