City go into the break top of the SWPL
Glasgow City enter the mid-season break five points clear at the top of the SWPL and their 100% record intact thanks to a 4-1 win over Hibernian at Albyn Park.
Hibs took the lead through Lizzie Arnot, but goals from Abbi Grant, Leanne Ross, Suzanne Lappin and Emma Black gave the visitors all three points.
With their first serious venture forward, Hibs took the lead with an outstanding goal from Hibs and Scotland U19 international Lizzie Arnot. Driving down the left, the young forward cut inside the City defence and unleashed a cracking right foot shot from the edge of the box which went in off the post.
Just over 10 minutes later, City were back on level terms. Great play by Fiona Brown saw the City forward take on the Hibs defence before hitting the bye line and cutting an inch perfect pass back to Abbi Grant and her City and international team made no mistake firing past Hannah Reid in the Hibs goal.
City enjoyed the majority of the possession and the attacks for the remainder of the half but were unable to add to their lead with Hibs looking resolute and Reid stopping all that came at her.
After the break, City began to dominate the game even further and it was no surprise when nine minutes after the restart they took the lead. Nicky Docherty had a great run out of defence, before hitting a powerful shot which was turned around the post by Reid for a City corner. From the resultant set piece, Leanne Ross and Fiona Brown worked an opening for Ross to hit a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.
A couple of minutes later City went 3-1 ahead. The very impressive Fiona Brown broke clear, beat her marker and fired an inch perfect cross to meet the run of Suzanne Lappin and City’s all time goal scorer made no mistake from inside the box firing past Reid to give City a two goal cushion.
On 71 minutes City got a fourth and it was another outstanding strike, this time from full back Emma Black. Collecting the ball at the far right hand side edge of the Hibs penalty box, she fired an unstoppable effort into the opposite top corner giving Hannah Reid no chance.
Overall it was a very entertaining and competitive game from both sides with some fantastic quality of goals on show for both sets of fans to enjoy.
Commenting on the game and his team’s position at the break, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “I am really delighted that at the half way stage of the season we have kept out 100% record intact. We know that after the break we will be involved in a lot of games between Champions League, Scottish Cup and the League title race and we might need that five point gap with the volume of games we will face.
“Today, in the first half we created a number of chances but I have to say credit to Hibs for their goal. We can talk about us defensively but you must give credit for that strike, it was magnificent. As for ourselves I don’t think you will see a game with the quality of goals on show today, where virtually the next one was always better than the last one. At half time I asked the players to come off the park with three points and they did that. They dominated the game, upped the tempo and scored some great goals. All in all I am really happy with the season so far. We are top of the table and have retained the League Cup, so I am very happy.”
Glasgow City will be back in action on Sunday 20th July for a pre-season friendly at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium. Kick off is 2pm, but City are yet to announce their opposition.
Picture credit to Andy Buist
28.06.14
