Hibs Ladies now fighting for the league runners-up spot

HIBERNIAN Ladies’ boss Willie Kirk believe his team’s title challenge is now dead but the battle to finish best of the rest is still very much alive.

Hibs put on a brave performance against champions Glasgow City but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat in an engrossing 90 minutes.

“That’s the league race over,” lamented Kirk, “Now we must ensure we finish best of the rest.

“There were lots of positives to take from the game however it was once again individual errors that proved costly.”

After a goal-less first half City almost snatched the lead immediately following the interval when Emma Mitchell rattled the post. But Hibs struck first as Susan Fairlie raced clear on 52 minutes and drew Claire Johnstone from her goal, finishing clinically.

The lead lasted just 45 seconds as Jo Love levelled and City maintained their 100 per cent record this term thanks to a double from Jane Ross.

“I cannot fault the girls’ work-rate and commitment because it was brilliant, but after working so hard to get our noses in front, we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding the equaliser inside a minute.”

Elsewhere, it was also a disappointing weekend for city rivals Spartans as the Ainslie Park side were thumped 4-0 by Forfar Farmington at Station Park.

It took the hosts just four minutes to break the deadlock as Aimee Godfrey headed into the net after an uncharacteristic error from Rachel Harrison in the Spartans goal. Spartans fought hard for an equaliser but a terrific free kick from Nicola Davidson just before half-time doubled Forfar’s lead. Spartans’ attempt to claw their way back into the game proved to be their downfall as Forfar twice sprung the offside trap after the break to score through Rachael Small and Godfrey.

Meanwhile, Hutchison Vale recorded their biggest-ever SWPL win on Sunday when they thrashed Kilmarnock 8-1 with goals from Laura Gavin (4), Katherine Smart (2), Jamie Torrance, and Tracy Donnachie.