City's fine form continues
Glasgow City’s impressive start to the season continued with a thumping 9-0 win over Forfar Farmington at Petershill Park on Sunday in an incident-packed SPWL match sponsored by Laura McGill.
Goals from Denise O’Sullivan, Eilish McSorley, Abbi Grant and two apiece from Jo Love, Fiona Brown and Leanne Ross secured an emphatic home win for the Champions.
From the first whistle City were in complete control. An early goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived after 4 minutes. A pinpoint cross by Brown was headed home by the unmarked O’Sullivan to get the home side off to the perfect start.
City went on the front-foot again almost immediately with both Ross and Grant coming close to doubling the lead as the visitors struggled to cope with the home side’s brand of free-flowing football. Goalscorer O’Sullivan then tested goalkeeper, Fiona McNicoll, with a well-executed shot after some great control. The busy Irish forward was causing all sorts of problems for the Forfar defence and she came close again after 12 minutes only to be denied by the woodwork.
The second goal eventually arrived after 18 minutes. McSorley’s headed effort was well saved by goalkeeper, McNicoll, but Ross reacted quickly to turn the ball home. Minutes later it was 3-0. Love gathered the ball at the edge of the box, steadied herself, and curled a fine right-foot shot into the top corner. McNicoll made a valiant attempt to save Love’s strike, but her despairing dive saw her collide with the goalpost.
A lengthy stoppage ensued with play delayed for around 35 minutes as McNicoll was treated and an ambulance summoned. She was eventually taken to hospital and replaced by Leonie Simpson.
On the resumption of play, City picked up where they left off – by dominating proceedings and chasing more goals. A great cross by Brown was headed against the crossbar by player of the match, O’Sullivan, but Love was there to lash the ball into the net for her second of the afternoon to make it 4-0.
Forfar were then dealt another injury blow. Number 8, Alex Russell, suffered a head knock and was unable to carry on. With no other substitutes named, the away side had to continue the game with ten players. 
A fine first half performance from City was complete on 43 minutes when the impressive Brown deservedly got her name on the scoresheet to make it 5-0. The ex-Celtic player squeezed the ball into the net at the near post after a deep cross from Leanne Crichton.
With the points secure and their beleaguered opponents a player light, it was just a matter of how many City would score. Grant nearly made it six after 49 minutes but her well-struck shot smacked against the post. The pressure however was unrelenting and Love almost completed her hat-rick after latching on to a lovely weighted ball from Emma Black, but her lobbed effort sailed just over.
Brown added a sixth after 55 minutes after coolly slotting the ball into the net to conclude some delightful team interplay. The seventh goal arrived in the 62nd minute when a 30 yard strike from McSorley was too hot to handle for the Forfar keeper who only succeeded in palming the ball into the roof of the net. Ross then completed her brace with a neat side foot finish before Abbi Grant made it 9-0 to round off a good day’s work.
City were fluid in possession and unforgiving in attitude, and although their opponents had some bad luck in this encounter, nothing should detract from the quality of the home side’s display.
Next up is an away game against Inverness City on Sunday.
Teams:
Glasgow City: Alexander, Docherty, Black, McSorley, Nelson (Whyte 84), Ross (c), Crichton, Love, Grant, Brown (Boyce 79), O’Sullivan (Dalziel 86)
Subs not Used: Laura Hamilton (GK)
Forfar Farmington: McNicoll (Simpson 19), Cairns, Burns, White, McLaren, Brough, Parsley, Russell, Gallacher, Davidson, Dunbar
Laura McGill Player of the Match: Denise O’Sullivan
Match Report by Graham Semple.
Pictured top to bottom: Fiona Brown races clear of her marker, Eilish McSorley heads on goal, Emma Black in defensive duties (pictures by Andy Buist). Match Sponsor Laura McGill presents the Player of the Match award to Denise O'Sullivan (picture by Phil McCloy)
20.04.14
