Glasgow City 2
OG 36' Kozak 75
Hearts 0
By Stephen Bark
A second half Kinga Kozak strike helped City secure three points against Heart of Midlothian at Petershill Park.
A first half own goal from former City defender Carly Girasoli gave the home side the advantage before they ran out 2-0 winners in the SWPL tie.
City made three changes to the team which drew with Rangers at Broadwood. Both Chloe Warrington and Anna Oscarsson were replaced by Kenzie Weir and Megan Foley before a late change to the starting XI saw Hayley Lauder replaced by Linda Motlhalo.
City started the match well and early chances saw Brenna Lovera played in by Lauren Davidson and Motlhalo but both times her shot was saved by Charlotte Parker-Smith.
The Hearts keeper was at her best to keep the City strikeforce out.
A corner from Corri Sullivan found Weir free but her header went over before a Davidson shot was saved and the follow up from Kozak was blocked.
Hearts were always dangerous on the break though and a chance for Kathleen McGovern saw the ball fired over.
City broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half time when a Maddie Fulton shot from range cannoned off the crossbar. Lovera pounced on the rebound and forced a shot under pressure. Parker-Smith saved the initial effort but the ball bounced off Girasoli and into the defender’s net.
Just before half time, Girasoli looked to have turned the hero for Hearts when she fired home from a cross seven minutes later but the linesman’s flag was quickly raised and the celebrations snuffed out.
The second half started in similar vein to the first as Kozak, Davidson and Lovera all saw efforts saved.
At the other end, Georgia Timms was played through but Gibson produced a good stop to deny the Hearts forward.
The points were made safe with 15 minutes to go when City peppered the Hearts goal but thanks to blocks and a good save from Lovera and Davidson, it took until the ball fell to Kozak for settle in the net.
Match information
Team lines
Glasgow City: Gibson, Motlhalo, Walsh, Fulton (Forrest 85), Lovera (Gambone 81), Davidson (Wardlaw 85), Kozak (Martin 81), Sullivan (Whelan 70), Moore, Weir, Foley. Subs not used: Clachers, Warrington, Colvill.
Heart of Midlothian: Parker-Smith, Morgan, Brownlie, Grant, Rennie (Adamolekun 65), Timms, Anderson (Davies 65), Waldie, Girasoli, McGovern, Michie. Subs not used: Rodgers, Penman, Hunter, Handley, Findlay, Cowan.
Scorers
Glasgow City: Girasoli o.g. 36’, Kozak 75’
Yellow cards
Glasgow City: Fulton 52’
Heart of Midlothian: Waldie 38’
Referee: Alistair Grieve
Venue: Petershill Park