Kirsty Howat’s gorgeous strike noticed Rangers draw stage with Celtic within the SWPL to maintain their title hopes alive.
The striker smashed the ball into the online within the second half to safe Rangers’ first victory over Celtic this season.
Celtic struggled to make an impression within the recreation with Caitlin Hayes disallowed purpose their solely shot on course.
Rangers at the moment are stage on factors with their rivals, who’re second on purpose distinction, with either side 5 factors behind SWPL leaders Glasgow Metropolis with 4 video games remaining.
Rangers hold title defence alive
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Kirsty Howat offers Rangers the lead over Celtic with this stunner from simply outdoors the penalty space
Rangers knew they needed to win to stay within the title race and so they dominated from kick-off however have been lucky to stay stage when Caitlin Hayes’ header was dominated out for Natasha Flint’s push on Rangers goalkeeper Victoria Esson.
After Rachel McLauchlan’s long-range drive was pushed over by Celtic keeper Pamela Tajonar earlier than half time, they then broke the impasse in fashion after the break.
Howat smashed a robust shot in off the publish then the guests held off some late Celtic stress to safe a significant win.
Kelly Clark had Celtic’s finest likelihood to stage the sport when Esson pushed Claire O’Riordan’s header into her path, however she put the ball broad of the publish.
Rangers conceded a 99th-minute equaliser of their final recreation towards Celtic, however held on to stay inside attain of Glasgow Metropolis.
Celtic can nonetheless win their first title and host Metropolis at Celtic Park on Might 11, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Alonso: We scored a authorized purpose
Celtic supervisor Fran Alonso advised Sky Sports activities their purpose ought to have stood:
“Extraordinarily annoyed. We scored a authorized purpose within the first half.
“We’re preventing for our lives. It is in our arms to win the league, after which it is an terrible determination.
“We managed the sport, however they’ve high quality and so they punished us. Congratulations to them, however the disallowed purpose affected the sport in a large method.
“Nobody is aware of why, it can’t occur.
“Very, very irritating, and it is not in our arms anymore. I am happy with the women, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. We’re nonetheless second.
“Now the issue is that we rely on different outcomes. It is nonetheless potential, however I am devastated, as a result of the women deserved extra at this time.”
Thomson: We’re again in it
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Rangers Ladies boss Malky Thomson was stuffed with reward for his facet after an important win over Celtic that retains them within the SWPL title race.
Rangers supervisor Malky Thomson on Sky Sports activities:
“We might have left ourselves a mountain to climb [if we hadn’t won]. The women have been so composed to see that recreation out, which we have not executed in earlier video games
“It is an ideal bunch; they pull collectively when they should pull collectively. The frustration after the Hearts recreation dissipated after they got here again to coaching.
“Should you give her [Howat] half an opportunity, she is aware of what she’s doing. It was struck so sweetly. She wins the sport for us.
“It is nice for me at Rangers. These youngsters have skilled with us for 2 or three years now and so they really feel a part of it. That is the long run for Scotland and girls’s soccer.
“For me, it is a straightforward job as a result of they’re such a great group. You solely study out of your errors. The women are believing in themselves now – they take full accountability in all the things they do. I am proud to be part of it.”
SWPL roundup
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Kinga Kozak opened the scoring for Glasgow Metropolis
Glasgow Metropolis 2-1 Hibernian
Glasgow Metropolis stay 5 factors clear on the prime of the SWPL after a 2-1 win over a weakened Hibernian facet.
Kinga Kozak gave the hosts the lead after simply seven minutes, with Emily Whelan heading in Priscilla Chinchilla’s cross to make it 2-0 earlier than half-time.
Hibernian defender Siobhan Hunter volleyed residence a comfort for Dean Gibson’s facet, who’re 10 factors behind Edinburgh rivals Hearts.
Metropolis host Hearts on Sunday earlier than dealing with Celtic on Might 11, dwell on Sky Sports activities. Hibernian are at residence to Rangers.
Coronary heart of Midlothian 1-1 Partick Thistle
Within the different top-six recreation, midfielder Jenny Smith gave Hearts the lead within the capital, however centre-half and Thistle captain Demi Falconer bundled in an equaliser.
It was Thistle’s second purpose for the reason that cut up and earned them their first level of their final six video games.
Spartans 4-2 Dundee United
Spartans moved above Motherwell after a second half comeback to pile stress on Dundee United of their battle to keep away from the relegation play-off.
United captain Danni McGinley opened the scoring straight from a free-kick for the second time in three days, Spartans midfielder Katherine Good then equalised earlier than ahead Georgie Robb regained the lead for United.
Defender Robyn McCafferty pulled Spartans stage once more earlier than Good scored her second to provide Spartans the lead for the primary time.
The house win was confirmed when an personal purpose boosted the scoreline to 4-2.
Motherwell 1-3 Hamilton Academical
Eilidh Austin impressed Hamilton to their first Lanarkshire derby victory of the season, with the on-loan Rangers striker scoring a hat-trick on the Excelsior Stadium.
Carla Boyce transformed a penalty to make it 1-1, however the 17-year-old accomplished the membership’s first treble on this fixture.
Accies transfer to inside two factors of assured security subsequent season after Dundee United’s defeat. Motherwell drop right down to eighth and at the moment are some extent behind Spartans.
Aberdeen 5-1 Glasgow Ladies
Aberdeen moved one other step nearer to security with a snug victory over relegated Glasgow Ladies.
Bailley Collins gave Aberdeen the lead and ahead Hannah Stewart scored a quickfire double earlier than half-time.
Eilidh Shore’s second-half strike was sharply adopted by an personal purpose to maneuver the Dons transfer seven factors away from the relegation play-off spot.