GLAGOW CITY remain top of the Scottish Women's Premier League table, ahead of Hibernian on goal difference, going into the summer break after a commanding 3-0 victory over Rangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.
Rangers made a bright start and Katey Turner and Chelsie Watson both had scoring chances but after Abbi Grant had fired home the opener for the champions, the result was never in question. and there were further goals from Clare Shine and Leanne Ross with a penalty.
In a scrappy opening, Rangers had a chance to strike the first blow after five minutes. Turner was presented with a glorious chance inside the City box but fluffed her kick and the ball drifted harmlessly off target.
Watson was next to try her luck. The defender's well-struck free-kick from 20 yards stung the palms of the City goalkeeper, Lee Alexander, who did well to push the ball to safety.
City struggled to find their passing game in the opening exchanges but gradually began to make headway. Jo Love had an effort drift over the bar before the visitors were made to pay for not converting their earlier chances.
A swift City counter-attack was finished off by Grant whose right-foot shot across goal from the edge of the box found the far corner beyond the despairing dive of the Rangers goalkeeper, Rachael Halbert.
City almost scored again after 34 minutes. Denise O'Sullivan, who was excellent throughout, won possession in midfield before Grant embarked on a mazy run. She skipped past challenge after challenge and set up Susan Fairlie who looked certain to score, only for her attempt to be blocked by a last-ditch tackle.
Erin Cuthbert rattled the crossbar with a rasping effort before City doubled their advantage. A low, drilled corner by Ross was nonchalantly volleyed into the back of the net by Shine. It was a classy finish from the Irish forward, a recent recruit to the City ranks.
City's third goal arrived 10 minutes into the second period half. O'Sullivan poked the ball through to Shine who was upended in the box by the Rangers goalkeeper. The referee rightly pointed to the spot and Ross converted the penalty with aplomb.
Immediately after the third goal, City brought 15 year-old Brogan Hay off the bench for her top-team debut. The talented youngster, who has been with the club since she was 11, almost grabbed a goal within seconds after she met a pinpoint cross from Emma Black. However, Hay's looping header back across goal grazed the top of the bar and drifted over.
City continued to dominate and Fairlie had two efforts comfortably saved. Another substitute, Kerry Montgomery, nearly added a fourth fourth with seven minutes remaining but her powerful header smacked against the bar.
Eddie Wolecki Black, City's head coach, said: "The players have achieved what we asked of them at the break - to ensure we remained top of the table and to have retained the League Cup.
"They have done that and a massive congratulations to the staff and squad. We can now look forward to the short break before coming back ready for the second half of the season."
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