City put up a real defence of their goal

LEADERS Glasgow City stayed out in front at the top of the SWPL 1 as their title rivals hit the goal trail – despite finishing the game with a defender playing in goal.

Scott Booth’s City side notched a 3-1 win over Spartans while Rangers cruised to a thumping 6-0 victory over Motherwell to set up a mouth-watering meeting next weekend between the top two.

First-half goals from Arna Sif Asgrimsdottir, Jo Love and Ode Fulutudilu put City on the road to all three points, with Kat Smart pulling one back for Spartans.

City held out with 10 players for the last 10 minutes and with defender Jenna Clark in goal.

Booth was forced to turn to her when No.1 Erin Clachers was sent off after he had used all his subs.

The win keeps City three points ahead of Gers going into next week’s showdown as the champions look to edge closer to retaining their title.

The Ibrox outfit kept up the recent free-scoring form which has seen them boost their goal difference lead over City to nine, which could prove vital.

Chantelle Swaby, Chelsea Cornet, Zoe Ness and Lizzie Arnot were all on the scoresheet while Kirsten Reilly netted a brace in the comfortable win over Well.

Boss Malky Thomson told Rangers TV afterwards: “That is 17 goals in two games.

“I think it is all down to performance levels and the way that we are playing. We are creating chances and we are converting those chances so it is pleasing.” City have been over the course before and are well versed in what it takes to win a Championship, and will look to cope with the pressure of leading the pack given their dominance in the country for well over a decade.

Celtic also enjoyed an emphatic win as they trounced Forfar Farmington 8-0 to keep up their chase of the top two.

Fran Alonso’s side are still just two points behind Rangers and five points off City, and will watch with interest next weekend to see how things pan out.

Wins for City and Celtic would enable Alonso’s side to leapfrog Gers into second spot.

In the Edinburgh derby at Ainslie Park it was a resounding 6-0 win for fifth-placed Hibs over bottom side Hearts as they avenged a 1-0 loss to Jambos earlier this term.

Hibs led in the opening minutes through Ellis Notley then Amy Gallacher’s double made it three before half-time.

Carla Boyce scored a header before Gallacher completed her hat-trick and won a penalty for Rachael Boyle to make it six. Hat-trick hero Gallacher said: “I am delighted but the main thing was three points and just getting the confidence back into the team by scoring a lot of goals.

“I enjoyed it. I was on the ball a lot. We performed well and we fully deserved the win.”

Hearts are two points adrift of Motherwell at the bottom. Well face Celtic at K-Park next week while Hearts go to Spartans.