Celtic maintain their 100 per cent start to the ScottishPower Women's Premier League season by hammering Dundee United 9-0; Rangers and Glasgow City share the spoils in a 1-1 draw as Partick Thistle thump Montrose to make it three wins from four league matches
Sunday 27 August 2023 21:15, UK
A round-up from the Scottish Women's Premier League as Celtic, Hearts, Motherwell and Partick Thistle came out on top in matchday four...
Partick Thistle continued their fine form with their third win in their opening four ScottishPower Women's Premier League matches. The result condemns Montrose to their fourth straight defeat and they remain without a point since promotion to the top league of women's football.
After a midweek outing for the Jags, it may have been expected for them to be sluggish out of the gate. It was quite the opposite and Craig Feroz's side were 2-0 down inside seven minutes. Megan Robb opened the scoring with her first goal for the club before Lucy Sinclair doubled their advantage.
The home side made it 3-0 just before the break as Cara Henderson got her fifth and most fortunate goal of the season, goalkeeper Lauren Parry's attempted clearance for Montrose coming off the Jags number nine and ending up in the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Montrose as they conceded a penalty with less than five minutes played in the second half, Emma Lawton drawing the foul from Tammy-Lee Harkin before Henderson finished off from the spot.
The final goal came a couple of minutes before the final whistle as Imogen Longcake scored her second of the season to complete a dominant performance.
The Jags face a tricky task next Sunday away to Rangers while Montrose search for their first points away to Motherwell.
Hibernian fought back to earn a late draw against Edinburgh rivals Spartans in a dramatic and entertaining match. It's Spartans first point of the season but they'll feel disappointed not to have taken all three.
It was the away side that took the lead halfway through the first half, Sarah Clelland beating the defender on the left before cutting in and sending her finish over Katie Fraine.
Spartans would double their lead just before the half hour mark through former Hibee Robyn McCafferty. The ball came to the edge of the box from a corner and the defender made no mistake finding the bottom corner.
As expected, Hibernian came out fighting in the second half following a disappointing 0-0 draw to Dundee United midweek and a poor opening 45 minutes. With just over an hour played, they had their way back in as they were awarded a penalty and Dion McMahon was shown a straight red card. Jorian Baucom stepped up for Hibs to reduce the deficit.
With almost the lack kick of the game, Hibernian eventually found the all-important equaliser. Ellis Notley's corner found Brooke Nunn at the back post and she volleyed home to the delight of the home support.
Hibs are back in action at Meadowbank on Sunday as they host league leaders Celtic while Spartans host Aberdeen at Ainslie Park.
Eva Olid's side continued to showcase their credentials as the biggest threat to the top three with a straightforward victory away to Aberdeen.
After a narrow loss to Rangers midweek, Hearts came out of the traps quickly at Balmoral Stadium and were ahead after just 12 minutes. Katie Lockwood's corner caused confusion in the Aberdeen box and Carly Girasoli was able to eventually finish for her first Hearts goal.
The Edinburgh side sealed victory with just over an hour played as Aimee Anderson put pressure on the Dons defence and won the ball before squaring it for Georgia Timms to tap in at the back post.
Hearts face a big test on Saturday as they travel to take on reigning champions Glasgow City at Petershill Park while Aberdeen travel to Edinburgh on Sunday to face Spartans.
Celtic maintained their emphatic start to as they trashed Dundee United. With Rangers and Glasgow City drawing later in the day, they move clear at the top of the table.
After scoring 21 goals in their opening three games, Celtic started again quickly and were 3-0 up inside 20 minutes. Maria McAneny with the opener after six minutes closely followed by Natalie Ross and Chloe Craig to put the game beyond the reach of United.
The home side extended their lead further within the next 12 minutes as Colette Cavanagh scored her first league goal since her return to the club and Tiree Burchill made it 5-0 just after the half hour mark.
The final goal of the half came from Ross who turned on the edge of the box before finishing beyond Megan Sidey in the United goal.
Celtic didn't stop there and made their tally 30 goals for the season in the second half. Amy Gallacher, with her sixth of the season, got the first goal of the second 45 from a free kick. In the final 10 minutes, 15-year-old Amy Sharkey made it eight and the final goal was scored by Kit Loferski in the last five minutes.
Celtic move two points clear at the top of the table and toughest test of the season so far away to Hibernian on Sunday while Dundee United are away to Hamilton Academical.
Motherwell made light work of Hamilton Academical in the Lanarkshire derby with Carla Boyce the star player for the home side.
Boyce opened the scoring for the Women of Steel with 21 minutes played as she headed home Tara McGonigle's cross from close range. She then doubled their lead 10 minutes later as she controlled Gill Inglis' chipped through ball before calmy finishing.
Last season's top scorer for Motherwell completed her hat-trick with just 49 minutes played as she finished off Kaela McDonald-Nguah's cross to seal the win.
The final goal came right at the death as Kaitlyn Canavan converted the cross from Louisa Boyes at the back post.
Motherwell host Montrose on Sunday as their opponents search for their first points of the season. Hamilton Accies host Dundee United who come off the back of a 9-0 hammering to Celtic.
Rangers and Glasgow City had to share the spoils in the first meeting of the season between two of the top three.
The first half was a tight affair as many had expected with neither side keen to give any ground in the early race for the title. Mairead Fulton produced the only shot on target as she tested Rangers goalkeeper Jenna Fife with a looping shot.
The next 45 minutes produced more opportunities, aided by an early Rangers goal. With 47 minutes on the clock, Mia McAuley was played through by Kirsty MacLean and the youngster showed good composure to dribble the ball forward before slotting past the onrushing Lee Gibson.
Rangers' lead would last just minutes though as City equalised shortly after. Brenna Lovera applied a cool finish inside the box, but the goal was made by Lauren Davidson who drove with the ball from well within her own half before providing a perfectly weighted pass for the striker.
Rangers would threaten in the later parts of the game but Gibson, who has been a key player for City through the years, showed her class to deny Rio Hardy from close range and then McAuley from a similar opportunity to her earlier goal.
Both sides have tricky next fixtures as Glasgow City are back in action on Saturday hosting Hearts while Rangers welcome Partick Thistle.
