City keep 100% record to move 6 points clear
Glasgow City moved 6 points clear at the top of the SWPL and remain the only side with a 100% record after defeating Hibs 4-0 away from home.
Suzanne Lappin broke the deadlock in the first half, closely followed by a Leanne Ross penalty to put the reigning Champions 2-0 ahead at the break. Further goals for City came through Sarah Crilly and Leanne Crichton to round off an excellent day for the Glasgow giants.
Both sides started evenly with chances relatively scarce in the opening exchanges. Jo Love had a shot blocked and Eilish McSorley hit an effort wide for City, whilst Siobhan Hunter had a strike for Hibs which she fired past Lee Alexander’s right hand post.
City began to dominate the set pieces earning a couple of corners and free kicks in dangerous areas and it proved to be to their benefit as on 19 minutes Jo Love was fouled out wide, allowing Leanne Ross to fire a free kick into the box which was met beautifully by the run of Suzanne Lappin who powered her header past Jenna Fife in nets for Hibs.
The goal gave City the injection they needed and within 3 minutes they were further ahead. Striker Suzanne Malone dispossessed the Hibs rearguard before driving into the penalty box where she was eventually hauled down for a City penalty kick. Up stepped Captain Leanne Ross to score from the spot and put her side 2-0 ahead.
City were now beginning to control the game, but Hibs were still looking dangerous especially from dead ball situations and midfielder Joelle Murray was unlucky to see a terrific free kick from out wide cannon off the cross bar and away to safety.
After the break, good play from Hibs Lizzie Arnott set Susan Fairlie free, forcing City keeper Lee Alexander into a fine save. Soon after Ruesha Littlejohn came so close to getting her side’s third as she hit the post, with the rebound falling to Lisa Robertson. The former Hibs player fired a powerful shot towards goal, only to see it cleared off the line before Lappin eventually fired over.
Alexander was called into action once more to save from Arnott before City found the net again when substitute Sarah Crilly climbed brilliantly to head home a Nicky Docherty cross. Alexander tipped a powerful effort over the bar as Hibs searched for a goal to get back in the game, meanwhile Lisa Robertson had a shot saved by Fife and Lappin headed just over from a City corner.
On 84 minutes Ruesha Littlejohn perhaps should have got herself on the scoresheet as she raced through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but Fife won the battle pulling off a good save at the striker’s feet.
With 4 minutes left on the clock, Littlejohn had a shot saved well by Fife. Crilly picked up the loose ball before laying it off to Crichton who hit a composed finish into the back of the net despite a crowded goal line, to score her side’s fourth for an emphatic victory against their title rivals.
Commenting on the match, City Head Coach, Eddie Wolecki Black said, “We are obviously very happy with the result and I have to say that Hibs are as good a team as we have played against this season. They started really well and made things difficult for us, forcing us into errors. But once we settled into the game, we looked a huge threat going forward. At half time we had to adjust a couple of small things, but I have to say again that Hibs proved a strong opponent in the second half and Lee (Alexander) had to make some good saves in the second half. I was really delighted for Sarah Crilly to get the third goal. She took it very well and getting a third killed the game. Leanne Crichton was very composed with the fourth to round off a very good day for us and a massive well done to all the players.”
City’s next match is on Sunday 26th May against Hutchison Vale at Toryglen Football Centre, with an unusual kick off time of 11am.
Pictured: Top - Suzanne Lappin heads City ahead. Bottom - City celebrate Leanne Crichton scoring City's 4th goal.
19.05.13
