HIBERNIAN will take a two-point lead into the summer break after hammering Aberdeen 8-0 at Ainslie Park while title rivals Glasgow City, who have a game in hand, produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Celtic 2-0, writes Alan Campbell.
In the only other SWPL1 game, Spartans jumped over Rangers into fifth place with a 3-1 win at New Tinto Park.
City dominated the match against third-place Celtic at K Park and could have won much more comfortably. The home side only came close to scoring very near the end, when Natalie Ross hit the bar with a lob.
City also hit the woodwork – three times – and Celtic’s Megan Cunningham made fine saves to keep the score down. Abbi Grant, who with Hayley Lauder tormented the home defence, finally put City ahead just before the interval following good work by Noelle Murray and Leanne Crichton.
With Ross walking a disciplinary tightrope after being shown a yellow card in the first half and then minutes later being given a final warning, City ended the game as a contest after 58 minutes. Lauder hit the bar with a powerful shot following a short corner, and Murray scored from close range.
“We’ve been building up a really good level of consistency for the last six to eight weeks,” said City head coach Scott Booth. “The team have worked really hard in all the areas of the park and we’ve created lots of chances again.
“We were really comfortable against a good Celtic side. It’s a pity we’re going into the summer break, although it’s going to be an interesting summer for our players with the Scotland squad. I wish them all the best for the Euros.”
Celtic manager David Haley admitted: “It was a tough day at the office, but credit to Glasgow City. They were at it from the first whistle and it was difficult to deal with them.”
Hibs got a big boost to their goal difference against bottom club Aberdeen, who have failed to win a league game in the first half of the season. The goals were shared among seven players – Rachael Small, Kirsty Smith, Rachel McLauchlan, Abi Harrison, Ellis Notley, Cailin Michie and Lia Tweedie twice.
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