Glasgow City defeat Spartans to progress into the semi-finals
Glasgow City progressed comfortably into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after defeating Spartans 8-0 at Ainslie Park.
Hat-tricks for Jess Fishlock and Suzanne Mulvey along with goals from Leanne Ross and Julie Nelson saw City safely through to their fifth successive Scottish Cup final appearance.
City took the lead on 17 minutes. Good play from the away side saw the ball worked out to meet the run from full back Leanne Ross, who strode into the box and shot into the bottom corner past Rachel Harrison to put her side ahead.
Jess Fishlock made it 2-0 and in turn scored her third goal in 3 games for her new side. A quick free kick was played out wide to Leanne Ross and her cross met the run of Fishlock who fired an unstoppable shot past Harrison.
Within two minutes, the away side were 3-0 ahead as Suzanne Mulvey was rewarded for a strong first half performance as she shot past the Spartans number 1 with Ross the provider once more.
Half time Spartans 0 – 3 Glasgow City.
City were on the scoresheet again within minutes of the restart as good play by Mulvey saw the City striker race to the by-line before crossing for Jess Fishlock who finished from the edge of the 6 yard box to score her second of the match and her side’s fourth.
On 52 minutes Fishlock scored her hat-trick with a sublime chip over Harrison from just inside the box. It was a goal of real quality from the Welsh international Captain, who was substituted soon after, making way for Sarah Crilly.
Crilly made an instant impact and almost scored twice within 10 minutes, firstly being denied by a goal line clearance and then from the post as her left foot strike fizzed past Harrison.
As the second half progressed Harrison became increasingly busy and was in outstanding form denying the Cup holders from increasing their lead time and time again.
Julie Nelson found a way past Harrison on 75 minutes to score her first ever goal for the club as she volleyed into the back of the net from inside the box after a City corner.
City made it 7-0 as Suzanne Mulvey converted from the penalty spot after Denise O’Sullivan went down in the box. The City and Scotland striker then got her hat-trick with a lovely curled finish into the bottom corner in the final minute of the game, to round off an excellent display from the Scottish Cup holders.
Glasgow City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black was obviously delighted with his side. He said, “We gave Spartans huge respect today by playing a very competitive team from the start and asking the side to go right to the final whistle. I was delighted with our movement all over the pitch in the second half and you can see the things that we have been working on in training coming off now in games. Today’s win now means we have a semi-final to look forward to and that ensures that we remain competitive and motivated throughout the coming weeks and months.”
The draw for the semi-finals will be live on Central FM tomorrow around 7pm. Glasgow City could face Hibernian, Celtic or Rangers, all of whom made safe passage into the semi-finals today.
City’s next game is against Rangers at home at Petershill Park, 2pm, this Sunday 15th September. A win will secure the championship for the current Champions and give City their seventh SWPL title in a row.
Pictured: Top - Jess Fishlock scores her first goal of the match. Middle - Suzanne Mulvey powers past the Spartans defence. Bottom - Ruesha Littlejohn gets set to shoot.
08.09.13
