Glasgow City defeat Rangers to move clear at the top of SWPL
Glasgow City moved five points clear of the chasing pack after a keenly-contested 3-2 win against Rangers in this afternoon’s SWPL top of the table clash at Petershill Park in a match sponsored by Lite Engineering & Tool Co. Ltd.
An own goal by Melissa Krnjiac (5) gave the home side the lead before Amanda Traynor (6) hit back for Rangers. A stunning strike from Leanne Ross (11) and a Denise O’Sullivan header (67) put the champions in control before Erin Cuthbert (85) netted a late counter.
In a frantic opening to the match, City snatched the lead after a bright opening from the visitors. A good run and fizzed cross from Fiona Brown was too much for Rangers defender, Krnijac, to handle and she could only turn the ball into her own net.
Rangers were not deterred by this early set-back and they responded immediately. After good play down the City left, Traynor’s well-directed shot into the bottom corner pulled the visitors level.
The quality on show from both sides was impressive and it was City who seized the initiative again after 11 minutes. Ross collected a pass from Brown and her powerful arrowed shot flew into the top corner from 25 yards past the despairing Khym Ramsay in the Rangers goal.
Suzanne Lappin almost doubled the advantage minutes later but her shot from the edge of the box drifted just wide. The number 10 came close to adding to City’s lead after 36 minutes, but she headed wide after slick interplay between Abbi Grant, Fiona Brown and Emma Black.
With the wind behind them, City enjoyed the majority of the territorial advantage at the start of the second period but were unable to carve out any meaningful chances. The game burst into life again after 64 minutes when an imprecise headed clearance by a Rangers defender bounced off the crossbar and over. From the resulting corner, the unmarked Lappin had her header brilliantly tipped over by keeper, Ramsay.
The pressure was beginning to build on the Rangers defence and it was no surprise when the third and decisive goal arrived three minutes later. A wicked cross from the impressive Brown was knocked back across goal by Grant, and O’Sullivan had the simple task of heading the ball into the net.
Rangers almost got back into the contest after 69 minutes. A deep cross from goalscorer, Traynor, was touched on to the post by City keeper Alexander and away to safety. With the game petering out and the three points all but secure, Rangers set up a grandstand finish by reducing the deficit to a single goal with five minutes remaining. Erin Cuthbert gathered the ball at the edge of the box and guided it into the far corner to set up a tense finale, but the home side held out comfortably.
The quality on show was a credit to both teams and City were well tested by a strong Rangers side, but over the ninety minutes, the home side did enough to merit all three points.
Commenting on his side’s win and performance, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, ““We have got the three points which is the most important thing. I am really disappointed in the fact that we are 3-1 up and the game is done and dusted and from their only shot in the second half, they score from it. This was similar to last year, so it was disappointing in how the game ended and it is a warning for us that we cannot be switching off and being slack. But we have the points there, we are five points clear at the top and are in a good position and we will only be stronger from this. We now look forward to the Cup Final on Wednesday.”
Up next for City is the Premier League Cup Final against Hibernian on Wednesday evening. The match will be played at Ainslie Park in Edinburgh with a 7.30 pm kick-off. Entry is via cash gate, adults £5, kids £2.
Teams
Glasgow City: L Alexander, N Docherty, E Black, J Nelson, E McSorley, S Lappin(L Crichton 70), L Ross, J Love, D O’Sullivan (S Fairlie 75), F Brown, A Grant (McCulloch 75)
Subs Not Used: A Farrell, C Whyte
Rangers: K Ramsay, K Hill, M Barr, M Krnjiac, M Sneddon, N Ross, E Cuthbert, H Cunningham (S, Knox 70), A Traynor, S Mulvey (M Foley 79), L Swanson
Subs Not Used: L Hughes, M Karagiozis, S Reilly, C Watson, A Lindsay
Referee: David Burns
Player of the Match: Leanne Ross
Match Report by Graham Semple.
Pictures by Graeme Berry. Top to Botom: Denise O'Sullivan celebrates scoring City's 3rd. City's Jo Love and Rangers Lisa Swanson compete for the ball. Player of the Match Leanne Ross receives her award from match sponsor James McPaul from Lite Engineering & Tool Co.
25.04.14
