Despite a dominant and resilient Motherwell performance, Glasgow City netted late into stoppage time to clinch a narrow 0-1 victory at K-Park.
Hayley Lauder’s strike with the final kick of the game was enough to ensure victory for the visitors.
Following last weekend’s tumultuous 1-1 draw with Dundee United, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the previous outing. Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Kodie Hay both dropped out whilst Lori Gardner and London Pollard returned to the starting 11.
Motherwell pressed high from the off, frustrating the visiting defence who looked to build from the back.
Katie Rice tested the Glasgow goalkeeper in the opening few minutes. The midfielder did well to shift the ball onto her left foot before firing a drilled effort towards the bottom left corner, but the keeper reacted well to easily gather.
Motherwell continued to frustrate the visitors and almost netted the opener minutes later. London Pollard reacted brilliantly to anticipate Megan Foley’s misplaced header before racing through on goal, but Meikayla Moore’s late lunging tackle was enough to divert her powerful effort wide of the target.
Motherwell were certainly the likelier of the two sides to find the opener as the half time whistle neared. Lori Gardner skilfully worked her way past several lacklustre challenges before teeing up Pollard at the edge of the box, but the forwards curling effort was easily matched by the keeper.
Despite Motherwell’s admirable display, Glasgow came close to snatching the opening goal in the final few moments of the first half. Lauren Davidson’s low-driven cross sailed invitingly into the path of Kinga Kozak yards from goal, but Jo Addie’s last-ditch tackle ensured both sides were level at the break.
As the second half resumed, the women of steel picked up from where they left off. Excellent link-up play between Gill Inglis and Carla Boyce left the captain in acres of space before picking out summer signing Lucy Ronald at the edge of the box, but her dipping effort sailed agonisingly over the bar.
Minutes later, Pollard was left through on goal after latching onto Lori Gardner’s perfectly weighted through ball, but the striker couldn’t capitalise despite rounding the keeper.
As the final few seconds ticked away, the visitors netted a decisive winner. Hayley Lauder’s floated corner kick was powered high into the roof of the net by Jenna Clark in what was a heart-breaking moment for the women of steel.
Team Line-ups:
Motherwell: Mutch, Doran-Barr (McDonald-Nguah 75’), Addie, Watson, Inglis, A. Anderson, Rice (Lowton 75’), Ronald, Pollard (Hay 65’), Gardner (B. Anderson 82’), Boyce. Subs not used: Andrews, Halpin.
Glasgow City: Gibson, Muir, Lauder, Fulton, Shine, Clark, Davidson (Monsivais 68’), Grant (Whelan 54’), Kozak, Moore, Foley (Greening 54’). Subs not used: Clachers, Walsh, Bora, Gibb, Perea, Noble.
