While SWPL leaders Glasgow City beat Celtic and Hibernian saw off Stirling University, Forfar had a fine win at Rangers and Hamilton gained their first points.
Ross double helps City sink Celtic
While Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Alexander kept out Nicole Pullar’s volley, Leanne Ross beat Celtic custodian Keira Gibson with a 25th-minute free kick.
Ross doubled the lead from the spot having hit the bar from another set-piece before Gibson conceded a penalty.
Hayley Lauder got the third from a Jo Love delivery and Celtic’s Cheryl McCulloch later received a second yellow card.
Hibs stay second on goal-difference
Second-placed Hibernian had something of a fortunate opener from Shannon McGregor but Rachel McLauchlan hit home the second 4 minutes later.
Chloe Logan made a number of fine saves for the visitors and Lucy Graham was thwarted by the bar but Kirsty Arnott completed the scoring with a penalty midway through the second half.
Rangers missed the chance to go above Celtic when falling to a 4-2 home defeat against Forfar Farmington.
Gaolkeeper Fiona McNicoll’s long clearance led to Forfar’s first goal, Robyn Smith slotting the ball under the advancing Jade Baillie and they went 2-0 up before the break as Hannah Stewart netted her first goal for the club from Smith’s corner.
Caroline Heron thumped home the third from distance after which Rangers’ Jade Gallon hit the woodwork.
Cassie Cowper turned and fired in the fourth, with Gallon and Brogan Hay pulling back goals for the Gers in added time.
Hamilton Academical got their first points with a 2-0 win over Spartans.
Spartans lost Ronaigh Douglas shortly after the half hour, stretchered off after colliding with the Accies ‘keeper.
Within 5 minutes Lori Gardner had put the hosts ahead and Jade Lindsay made it 2-0 with her first goal for Hamilton.
Emma Lyons went close to making it 3-0 but the crossbar intervened.
Hamilton v Spartans highlights
‘Well win SWPL 2 top-two clash with Killie
Motherwell went 5 points clear with a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock, as they made it 330 minutes since they last conceded a goal. Caitlin Russell headed in a 39th-minute opener and 2 minutes into the second half Hayley Cunningham scored after exchanging passes with Suzanne Mulvey.
Hearts are second on goal-difference after getting the only goal of the game at home to Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale. Ashley Carse clinched the derby winner 5 minutes into stoppage-time, while Vale had hit the bar very early in the game.
Glasgow Girls leapfrogged Aberdeen into fifth spot with a 3-2 win after trailing 2-0 at the Dons. Aberdeen scored early and late in the first half through Chloe Fitzpatrick but a Lauren Coleman brace levelled the scores and Rachel Ashe grabbed an 85th-minute winner.
Basement side Central Girls Academy held fourth-placed St Johnstone 1-1 at Alloa Athletic FC, where Rhianna Tweedie was on target for the away side.
MIDWEEK MATCHES:
Wednesday 9th May (7.30pm) –
SWPL 1
Hamilton Academical v Hibernian (Hamilton Palace Sports Ground)
Stirling University v Forfar Farmington (Stirling University Sports Ground)
Spartans v Celtic (Ainslie Park Stadium, 7.45)
SWPL 2
FC Kilmarnock v Central Girls Academy (St Josephs Academy)
Glasgow Girls v Hearts (Petershill Park)
St Johnstone v Aberdeen (McDiarmid Park)
Motherwell v Edinburgh University Hutchison Vale (Ravenscraig)
