HIBERNIAN made a big statement with a 3-1 win at Celtic to maintain their 100 per record at the top of SWPL1. They stay two points ahead of Glasgow City and Spartans, who also both won, writes Alan Campbell.
Rachael Small and Abi Harrison scored early in the second half for Hibs at the K Park. A Natalie Ross penalty then brought Celtic back into it before Katey Turner settled it.
Celtic gave as good as they got in a fiercely fought opening 30 minutes, but then survived good chances for Kirsty Smith and Turner. Hibs made the home side pay after the interval when Amy Harrison sent in a low cross which Small met, scoring at the second attempt after hitting the post.
Three minutes later a clever Harrison back header put Hibs two up – but Brownlie later fouled Howat in the box and Ross converted. Hibs ensured the three points with the game’s best goal. Kirsty Smith’s ball down the left was collected by Harrison who sent over a cross which Turner sent past Megan Cunningham.
Head coach Chris Roberts said: “I’m really pleased. We set up to make sure we limited Celtic to very little. We missed a handful of really good chances in the first half, but the start of the second was great.”
There was a bonus for the winners when Rachel McLauchlan, who was injured playing for Scotland in last month’s Cyprus Cup, came on midway through the second half.
“We were under strict instructions to limit her to 25 minutes maximum, but it was nice to get her on,” said Roberts Meanwhile, Glasgow City won 3-1 at Hamilton with goals from Noelle Murray and Lauren McMurchie, before Mhairi Lyle pulled one back. A Brogan Hay second-half goal ensured all three points for City, whose next two games are against Hibs.
A first-half strike from Colette Cavanagh ensured Spartans’ excellent start to the season continued against Stirling University and a late goal at New Tinto Park brought Rangers their first points of the season at the expense of Aberdeen – who now only have Hamilton Accies below them – with a goal from Claire Adams deep into injury time.
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