GLASGOW City got a measure of revenge for their SWPL Cup semi-final defeat by Hibernian when they dislodged the Edinburgh club from the top of the table with a 2-1 win at Ainslie Park.
Noelle Murray and Hayley Lauder got the goals which put City on 13 points, one ahead of their closest rivals.
Spartans remain in third place, a further point behind Hibs, following a 1-1 home draw against Celtic. Rangers gave new head coach Amy McDonald a perfect start with a 4-0 win at Hamilton, while Aberdeen remain bottom following a 0-0 home draw against Stirling University.
“The whole thing about today was to come here and go top of the league,” City head coach Scott Booth said after his side’s win.
“We played some really good football in the first half and scored a couple of good goals.
“The second half was a battle. It was good to see the players getting over that hurdle of losing last minute goals.”
Hibs head coach Chris Roberts said: “Even if we’d managed to get a draw our overall performance wasn’t good.
“We took a lot of praise last week so we’ll need to take this one on the chin and bounce back.”
City’s first goal, after 16 minutes, was an individualistic effort by Irish striker Murray who found space just outside the Hibs box and fired in a chip which dipped under the bar.
Lauder nearly doubled the score four minutes later, but Hibs keeper Jenna Fife made a fine save. The second goal quickly followed, however, with the Scotland midfielder squeezing a shot between the Hibs goalie and the near post.
It should have been three just after the half hour. Murray dispossessed central defender Siobhan Hunter and ran through with only Fife to beat – but the keeper blocked her shot. Hibs were much better in the second half and got a goal back seven minutes after the interval. Captain Rachael Small latched onto a loose ball in the City box to beat Lee Alexander.
The City keeper later made a great save from Lucy Graham to ensure her side won the three points.
A late equaliser from Zoe Johnson earned Spartans their draw in the earlier game at Ainslie Park. Mairead Fulton had given Celtic a half time lead.
Rangers were two up at half time in their game at Hamilton and added two more in the second half for an outstanding win against a side who themselves had won 5-1 the previous week.
The visitors’ scorers were Rachael O’Neil, Hannah Robertson, Chelsea Watson and Claire Adams.
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