City lift Premier League title
Glasgow City defeated a resilient Hibernian side 2-0 tonight in Broxburn to lift the Premier League Championship.
Tonight's result topped off an outstanding season for Scotland’s number one side. Having already lifted the Unite Scottish Cup and the Premier League Cup, City have now won the domestic treble. This combined with also becoming the first Scottish side ever to reach the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League this season, City go down in history as Scotland’s most successful women’s side.
The match against fourth placed Hibernian was always going to be a nervous affair, with City just needing a point to claim the title and they lacked their usual composure and flair in the first half. As a result neither side really dominated, with City’s best chance coming from Ruesha Littlejohn, but her near post shot was pushed against the woodwork and away to safety by Hibs and Scotland number one Gemma Fay.
The second period was a whole different game, which City controlled comfortably, putting continued pressure on the Hibernian defence. The away side made the breakthrough 15 minutes into the restart, when Littlejohn fired home from close range after putting pressure on Fay in goals.
Clare Gemmell nearly put City 2-0 up, but her left foot strike at the edge of the box came back off the cross bar. Leanne Ross, then tried her luck from distance with a brilliant 30 yard drive, but Hibernian were let off the hook once more when Ross’s effort also cannoned off Fay’s cross bar again.
With ten minutes remaining City got their reward and went 2-0 up to guarantee the three points and the Premier League title. An Emma Fernon corner was headed goal bound by Sue Lappin. Fay saved well in the Hibernian net, but Lappin was on hand to knock the rebound into the back of the net.
Boss Peter Caulfield expressed how proud he was of his team. He said, “The players have been outstanding. This was a real pressure match as trebles are not meant to be easy, but the girls really deserved it. They have done what no other team before them has ever managed. They have worked so hard and should enjoy their moment.”
28.05.09
