LAUDER ON FIRE AS CITY STAY TOP
HAYLEY LAUDER helped Glasgow City make it four wins from four with a 5-0 defeat of Spartans to stay one point clear in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Lauder got City underway after just five minutes, controlling Leanne Ross’ ball over the top and lobbing Spartans keeper Rachel Harrison.
Harrison was in inspired form to prevent injury-hit Spartans taking a real hammering but could do nothing to stop Sam Kerr from making it 2-0 after Nic Docherty had hit the upright.
Abbi Grant had a goal ruled out but within two minutes tried her luck again and made no mistake as she collected a Keeva Keenan diagonal ball and fired past Harrison.
With 13 minutes to go Leanne Crichton scored her first goal since her return to the club last month.
And Ross got her own name on the scoresheet from a short-corner routine, firing low into the bottom corner.
Closest challengers – and SWPL Cup winners – Hibs were made to work for a 2-0 win at home to Stirling University.
It took until the 67th minute before captain Joelle Murray, back from injury, headed in Emma Brownlie’s corner.
And with four minutes to go Rachel McLauchlan thumped a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Celtic bounced back from their cup final disappointment to beat 10-woman Hamilton 4-0.
Kirsty Howat put the Celts 1-0 up before Joanne Paton was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident. And Ruesha Littlejohn scored either side of Jamie-Lee Napier’s 25-yard strike to seal the win.
Lisa Swanson put Rangers ahead from the spot against bottom club Aberdeen and Hayley Sinclair bagged a double as the Light Blues beat the Dons 4-1.