By Stephen Bark
A second half goal-blitz saw Glasgow City earn all three points against Motherwell in Airdrie.
Three goals in 10 minutes from Leanne Ross, Jo Love and Tyler Toland meant it was a happy return to the Excelsior for City.
In a first half of few chances it was City who made the bigger impact. A corner from Ross on 20 minutes saw Leanne Crichton hook the ball back towards goal but, with the Motherwell keeper stranded, her effort crashed off the bar.
Motherwell’s best opportunity came a few minutes later when Lori Gardener picked up the ball on the right. She lofted it across the box and almost caught out Erin Clachers at the far post as it nestled on the roof of the net.
Chances also fell to Sharon Wojcik – whose effort from the edge of the box was turned wide – and Aoife Colvill who couldn’t get the required connection to turn home Kirsty Howat’s cross.
A succession of corners at the start of the second half gave the home team the chance to break the deadlock but Abby Callaghan’s effort was deflected over the bar.
The deadlock was finally broken just after the hour mark after City penned Motherwell in from a throw on the left before Rachel McLauchlan’s cross was handled by Katie Rice giving the referee no option but to award the penalty. Up stepped Ross to do what she does best as she outwitted the keeper from the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
A few minutes later and throw on the right saw McLauchlan cross to the near post where she almost outfoxed the Motherwell keeper but the ball bounced off the crossbar and into the six-yard box where sub Love was in the perfect place to knock home number two.
Zaneta Wyne then became provider from the opposite side as Toland, free in the box, chested down her crossed and smashed the ball home for her first Glasgow City goal.
Chances fell for Colvill and Love as City looked to extend the lead in the closing stages but they couldn’t trouble Alley Tebbett in the home goal.
Next up, City face Hibernian at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday, November 15.
You can follow the game across social media and the club website where we’ll have full coverage of the matches along with reaction and highlights after the full-time whistle.
Glasgow City: Clachers, McLauchlan, Wyne, Crichton, Howat (Wade 52), Toland, Clark, Davidson (Foley 68), Wojcik (Love 52), Ross, Colvill. Subs not used: Alexander, Lauder, Fulton, Kerr.
Motherwell: Tebbett, Connor, C Watson, Crooks (Skelton 85), Adams, Rice, Baillie, Sinclair (Roberts 85), Gardener, Callaghan (Reside 68), K Watson (Swanson 85). Subs not used: Pollard.