SWPL 2 champions Motherwell beat top flight Spartans to set up a SSE Scottish Women’s Cup final clash with holders Hibernian, who earlier at Forthbank Stadium eliminated Glasgow City.
Elena Santoyo-Brown and Tegan Reynolds went close for Spartans but it was Motherwell who opened the scoring, Megan Burns’ header deflected in.
Rachel Walkingshaw set up Reynolds to level midway through the half and parity was nearly very short-lived as Well’s Hayley Cunningham clipped the crossbar from distance.
Motherwell did retake the lead on 56 minutes when Kirsty McLaughlin’s corner was turned over the line at the second attempt by Kerry Montgomery.
Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s header hit the top of the bar as Spartans sought a second equaliser but the underdogs progress was sealed when Caitlin Russell nodded home a corner from fellow substitute Katey Turner.
Hibernian reach fourth consecutive SSE Scottish Women’s Cup final
Hibs made a good start against their SWPL title rivals and were ahead on 14 minutes, Rachel McLauchlan’s cross turned in by Kirstin Reilly despite the efforts of goalkeeper Lee Alexander.
City’s Kirsty Howat saw her shot on the turn well saved by Jenna Fife, both Hayley Lauder and Abbi Grant then having shots blocked, before Abi Harrison missed a chance to double the lead by firing straight at Alexander.
Lidija Kulis struck the near post for City early in the second half, Harrison had another chance for Hibs but was unable to finish despite going round the keeper.
Inside the last 10 minutes, Hibs did get their second as Emma Brownlie’s corner was hit home at the far post by Joelle Murray.
Late hope for City came when Siobhan Hunter’s attempted clearance ended up in the back of her own net but it was Hibs who went through to the final at Partick Thistle FC on Sunday 4th November (4:10pm kick-off).
