Spartans 0-1 Rangers: Megan Sneddon bags first Rangers goal
MEGAN Sneddon grabbed her first goal for Rangers, keeping them above her former club Celtic.
At a cold and wet Ainsley Park Rangers were narrow 1-0 winners against League Cup finalists Spartans.
Rangers manager Angie Hind was pleased with her side’s performance and feels her side are taking “baby steps” in the SWPL after a lot of change at the club.
She said: “We expected it to be quite a competitive game, quite close, and it was that. I think we had the more dominant play, we had a lot of the ball and created a few chances- especially in the second half.
“The win was important for us but also really delighted with the performance. Our focus [this season] first and foremost is to make the cut into the top six. There’s been a lot of change in the club since we took over in December and brought in a lot of players, we’re definitely a work in progress.”
In the first half the teams battled it out in the middle of the pitch with Spartans pressing high and both teams found it hard to create anything in the final third.
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SWPL: Hamilton 2-1 Kilwinning
HAMILTON Accies picked up another well earned three points at the John Cumming stadium on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over SWPL newcomers Kilwinning.
The Ayrshire club had Scottish football legend Julie Fleeting back in their line-up but it was Kevin Murphy's side who dominated the match with a barrage of chances.
The away side went into the game looking to pick up their first points of the new season and the teams looked to be taking a share of the spoils until Hamilton's Ashley McDonald fired home the winner with ten minutes left to play.
The manager was delighted with the performance of his team despite the frustration of not capitalising on the vast number of chances they created throughout the game.
He said: "I thought we played really well today in the first and the second half. We were excellent and we created a lot of chances but as the game goes on you start to doubt if you will get the winner, but Ashley popped up again like she did here the last time against Aberdeen so we're delighted we got all three points.
"It was frustrating but I was also pleased that we created so many chances and it looks like things are now coming together."
The manager was delighted with the performance of his team despite the frustration of not capitalising on the vast number of chances they created throughout the game.
He said: "I thought we played really well today in the first and the second half. We were excellent and we created a lot of chances but as the game goes on you start to doubt if you will get the winner, but Ashley popped up again like she did here the last time against Aberdeen so we're delighted we got all three points.
"It was frustrating but I was also pleased that we created so many chances and it looks like things are now coming together."
Forfar 0-4 Glasgow City: City book Recreation Park rematch against Spartans
GLASGOW City manager Eddie Wolecki Black has warned his team not to expect another 5-1 walkover when they meet Spartans in the League Cup final.Second half goals from Danni Pagliarulo, Sue Lappin, Leanne Ross and Sarah Crilly earned a semi-final win over Forfar Farmington at Keirs Park, and earned a repeat of last year's final match-up.
Black says retaining the trophy will be much tougher this time, after Spartans defeated a previously unbeaten Hibs side in their semi-final.
"They will make it very
difficult for us," he said. "They will be buoyed by last night’s semi-final win
over Hibs and it will take a very good performance form us to win the
first trophy of the season.
"We are very happy to be in the final. It shows a great consistency as it
is our fourth final in a row and probably sums up what playing for this
club is all about in that we have to be competing for Cups and League
titles.
"We have now put ourselves in a good position again to try and
retain our League Cup."
Hibernian 1-2 Spartans: Fourth League Cup final in a row for Spartans
SPARTANS manager Debbi McCulloch led her side to their fourth consecutive League Cup final, and reckons this time they might just win it.
Goals from Louise Mason and Sarah Ewens sealed a win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, despite a nervy finish after Katey Turner's late strike.
Goals from Louise Mason and Sarah Ewens sealed a win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, despite a nervy finish after Katey Turner's late strike.
It was a sensational turnaround for McCulloch's side, who just a few weeks ago had gone down 7-1 to the previously unbeaten Hibees.
She said: "I was saying to the players that not everyone gets a chance to participate in a final - we've now had that opportunity four seasons in a row.
"They've just got to enjoy it and hopefully this time we come away with the cup.
Spartans have now made five finals in six years. Photo by Edmund Brown
"Obviously defensively we were a lot more solid than last time, it was seven going on twelve if we're honest. But we've worked hard in training and I don't think Hibs had many chances apart from the one they scored.
Celtic 3-1 Hamilton: Murphy laments cheap goals
HAMILTON slipped to defeat against Celtic but may feel the score was an unfair reflection of their performance. Under the cover of the Toryglen sports centre, Accies lost three goals in reply to their one to lose out on all three points.Despite the defeat, manager Kevin Murphy though was satisfied with his team’s performance.
“They were cheap goals to lose," said Murphy. "That was sore to take. But, we competed well, gave a good account of ourselves and made sure they were in a game so from that point of view it was pleasing.”
He continued: “Overall, I’m pleased with the performance. We started the
game really well, took the game to Celtic and got the opening goal.
"I’m
disappointed with some of the goals that we lost; however I thought that
the reaction from the team after the interval was great.
Kilwinning 0-12 Glasgow City: City warn up for Forfar in style
GLASGOW City continue to set the pace in the Scottish Women's Premier League after a resounding 12-0 win over newly promoted Kilwinning.
Six goals in each half was enough to give City the win, much to the delight of City boss Eddie Wolecki Black.
Six goals in each half was enough to give City the win, much to the delight of City boss Eddie Wolecki Black.
He said: “We are very happy with the performance as we have maybe been guilty this season of only playing for a half, but I think we are beginning to get 90 minutes out of the team.
"This was shown by the fact that we managed to score six goals in each half, which was pleasing. The goals were also spread about the team, which was also great to see.
"Lauren Ray made her debut today from the Development team, which is excellent, especially considering she has come through our youth ranks for a number of years.
"We now prepare for a tough League Cup Semi-Final on Thursday against Forfar at Hill of Beath."
Jo Love challenges for Glasgow City. Photo by Edward Linton
City got off to a quick start with Suzanne Lappin finding the net within two minutes. Lappin went on to score four first half goals and two penalty conversions by Leanne Ross, a double by Lisa Robertson and strikes from Danni Pagliarlulo, Nicky Docherty, Jo Love and Leanne Crichton sealed a very comfortable win for the reigning Champions.
Rangers started the game brightly with two chances in the opening minute from Kathryn Hill. A long range shot after good play to win the ball in midfield and a shot from an early corner were both held safely by the Forfar ‘Keeper.
HAMILTON left it late as an 84th minute winner from Ashley McDonald saw the hosts seal all three points against Aberdeen.
Manager Kevin Murphy was a relieved man, but was impressed with his team’s performance particularly in the final third.
“I didn’t care how it came, I’m just glad it did,” Murphy said.
“I thought Gill Inglis was outstanding throughout and we’ve worked on bringing her in from wide quite well, and then Ashley’s goal was brilliant on the end of a great cross.
“A bit into the second we moved a lot more bodies forward and switched to four-four-two which saw us attack their goal a lot more and our wider players did very well in this.”
Aberdeen got the game underway and tested Accies keeper Megan Cunningham straight away, a reaction stop before defender Ainsley Douglas cleared the rebounded effort to safety.
Accies also came close in the opening, as Carolina Richardson sent a looping strike just past goal, Cara McBrearty and Kirsten McGuire also coming close, McBrearty firing just wide and McGuire finding the near side netting.
Rangers 0-0 Forfar: Rangers frustrated in stalemate
AFTER battling hard and dominating play for 90 minutes, at Petershill Park, Rangers came away from the game with only the one point for their efforts, held to a goalless draw by Forfar Farmington.
A frustrated Rangers coach Angie Hind felt her team deserved more than just a point.
She said: “I
think in football we all have one of those days - today was certainly
one of them. I don't think we could have done much more to win the game.
"We threw everything at them, hit the woodwork on numerous occasions and
even in the final seconds were still fighting to be on the end of a
cross.
"I thought the effort and work rate of the team today was
fantastic. Whilst we felt we deserved much more its another point in the
league and we continue to move forward.”
Rangers started the game brightly with two chances in the opening minute from Kathryn Hill. A long range shot after good play to win the ball in midfield and a shot from an early corner were both held safely by the Forfar ‘Keeper.
Hamilton leave it late against Aberdeen
HAMILTON left it late as an 84th minute winner from Ashley McDonald saw the hosts seal all three points against Aberdeen.Manager Kevin Murphy was a relieved man, but was impressed with his team’s performance particularly in the final third.
“I didn’t care how it came, I’m just glad it did,” Murphy said.
“I thought Gill Inglis was outstanding throughout and we’ve worked on bringing her in from wide quite well, and then Ashley’s goal was brilliant on the end of a great cross.
“A bit into the second we moved a lot more bodies forward and switched to four-four-two which saw us attack their goal a lot more and our wider players did very well in this.”
Aberdeen got the game underway and tested Accies keeper Megan Cunningham straight away, a reaction stop before defender Ainsley Douglas cleared the rebounded effort to safety.
Accies also came close in the opening, as Carolina Richardson sent a looping strike just past goal, Cara McBrearty and Kirsten McGuire also coming close, McBrearty firing just wide and McGuire finding the near side netting.