City open up five-point gap at summit as Chinchilla’s double sinks Rangers

Glasgow City showed all their resilience to fight off a spirited Rangers second-half performance and extend their lead at the top of SWPL1 to five points. They won 2-0 with Costa Rica forward Priscila Chinchilla scoring both.

The defeat leaves Rangers – who beat City 5-0 in the first game between the sides – six points off the pace. They are now in third, one point behind Celtic, who beat Motherwell 3-0 earlier in the day.

It took City just 71 seconds to take the lead at the Rangers Training Centre courtesy of a bad error by Rangers central defender Chantelle Swaby. The Jamaican internationalist mistimed a clearance to Hayley Lauder and the ball was slipped into the box for Chinchilla to score at the second attempt.

City should have doubled their lead in 12 minutes. A long Lee Alexander clearance was flicked on by Megan Foley leaving Ode Fulutudilu with only Jenna Fife to beat, but she sent her effort beyond the far post.

Scotland goalkeeper Alexander saved her side twice in the middle of the half. She saved at the feet of former City teammate Sam Kerr as the midfielder attempted to go round her, and then smothered Lizzie

Arnot's close-range effort.

Rangers went further behind ten minutes from the interval. Fulutudilu sent Chinchilla clear and although Fife tried to tip her shot over the bar the ball went under it.

There was no further scoring in the second half and Alexander, who made another fine save from Kerr at the start of it, said: “Obviously Rangers are title contenders and they beat us last time, so we had to make sure we got a result.

“Pri has been excellent since she came over. I'm delighted for her and it set us up for the rest of the game getting the early goal. It was a real squad effort and it's a busy week because we've got Celtic on Wednesday.”

Celtic head coach Fran Alonso was happier with the result than the performance after his side’s win against second bottom Motherwell.

Rachel Donaldson opened the scoring after 18 minutes when she headed home a Sarah Ewens cross at the far post.

The same player made it 2-0 and Sarah Teegarden got the third before the interval.

Despite this springboard, Celtic couldn't add to their score in the second half.

“With the talent we've got I think we can play better, but we've won six games in a row so I'm delighted,” Alonso said.

Bottom club Hearts ended their away game against Spartans

with only ten players after goalkeeper Charlotte Parker Smith was sent off 13 minutes from time.

By that time the home team were 2-0 up through Ronaigh Douglas and Kat Smart. They added a third through Michaela Mcalonie when Hearts outfield player Lia Tweedie was between the posts.

It was the second time in eight days the side playing Spartans had their goalkeeper sent off – Glasgow City No 2 Erin Clachers suffered the same fate the previous Sunday.

Hibs stay in fifth place despite beating Forfar Farmington 5-0. The scorers were Carla Boyce, Colette Cavanagh (2), Joelle Murray and Ria Mccafferty.