The Glasgow City coronation can begin

Whilst mathematically still possible it would take Malcolm Tucker-esque levels of spin to convince me that anyone other than Glasgow City will win their 13^th consecutive SWPL1 crown as Clare Shine’s 50^th goal for the club sealed a 1-0 victory over closest challengers Celtic at Petershill Park on Sunday.

It put Scott Booth’s side eight points clear with a game in hand and was the second game in succession where they had disposed of the league’s 2^nd placed side following on from victory over Hibernian and it’s City’s ability to come out on top during these head to heads is what will see them eventually lift another crown. Perhaps what makes this season stand out above the others during this incredible run of domestic domination is that both Hibernian and Celtic have probably been two of the most well rounded challengers the Glasgow side have faced to date.  Grant Scott has rebuilt his squad well after recent pillaging from south of the border whilst Eddie Wolecki Black’s Celtic have continued to progress this season. Scottish Cup success will be the focus for all three sides this coming weekend but as Hibernian have continued to show there is no guarantee that City will add this trophy to their impressive haul.

Another near miss for Saints

When Ellie May Cowie opened the scoring for St. Johnstone just 25 seconds into their clash with Hamilton Academical head coach Jason McCrindle must have started to wonder if this would be the day that his side would finally be on the winning side of a tight score line in the always competitive SWPL2. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and a Dionne Brown double put the Accies three clear at the top with Saints left to ponder their approach for the remaining games of a season with relegation not a concern and promotion out of reach.

They are competitive, this was their 4^th defeat by just a single goal and no side has defeated them by more than two goals in the league this season. In the aforementioned Cowie and Ashley Fish they have goals up top whilst Scotland U19 international Rebecca McGowan, absent on Sunday, has obvious promise. They will hope to turn the tide when they face Dundee United in a couple of weeks’ time but for now focus will shift to next week’s Scottish Cup tie against SWPL1 side Celtic.

Super Caley go ballistic…

It would be easy to pour cold water on any post match celebrations the Inverness Caledonian Thistle players had following their 5-0 victory away to SWPL2 bottom side Hutchison Vale. The Edinburgh side’s troubles this season have been well documented but that should not diminish the achievement by the still relatively new SWFL1 North side. A double from Alex Andrews along with goals from Jodie Malcolm, Lisa McKenzie and Leanne Calder booked The Highlanders a last 16 clash with SWPL1 Motherwell and they will draw inspiration from Aberdeen’s shock victory against Spartans as they head south to Lanarkshire on Sunday.

It’s shaping up to be a big weekend in the Highlands as the Tulloch Stadium plays host to the first ever Highlands & Islands League Cup Final where Clachnacuddin face Lewis & Harris. The H&I League’s top two are only separated by three points and faced each other earlier in the season with the Hebrideans running out 2-1 victors.

Kick off in Inverness is 1pm this Saturday so if you’re in the area then why not head along and support the sides.