CELTIC Ladies cemented their place at the top of the table with an emphatic 8-1 defeat of Boroughmuir Thistle at Lennoxtown on Sunday.

Three goals from midfield, a double from both strikers and a Thistle own goal ensured victory for the Hoops and sent them six points clear, although nearest rivals Spartans and Glasgow City have games in hand.

With those two sides contesting the League Cup final, the Hoops had the chance to extend their league lead, and in true Celtic fashion, they grabbed it with both hands, easing past the newcomers.

The Hoops got off to a flyer with two goals in the first 10 minutes. Jo Love fired in the opener and Pauline Hamill curled in a trademark free-kick with the keeper rooted to the spot to give the home side the perfect start.

Pauline Harley clawed a goal back for the Jags on the 20-minute mark but Celtic responded well and continued to dominate, increasing their advantage again within minutes. The Thistle defence struggled to deal with a fizzing, Lauren MacMillan cross and with Leanne Crichton pressurising her, Pamela Livingston could only turn the ball into her own net.

Celtic stretched their lead further within minutes of the re-start. MacMillan’s effort caught out Wright in similar style to the Boroughmuir consolation effort, and put the Hoops in command.

Becky Stokes was next on the score-sheet when she wriggled free inside the box, shrugging off her marker and passed the ball into the net from 12 yards.

Christie Murray then netted twice in four minutes for the Hoops, capitalising on some sloppy Jags defending. She rode a challenge and slotted the ball under the advancing Wright for her first, and volleyed in a Stokes cut-back after some good work by her and Crichton, for her second.

With the points secured the Hoops took the opportunity to field some youngsters. Three under 17s, Chloe Craig, Melissa Lambert and Kirsten Taylor, were introduced to the fray for their first taste of Premier League action and they all rose to the occasion.

There was even a final Celtic goal for them to experience when Hamill scored the most audacious effort five minutes from the end. She rounded Wright and with three defenders rushing back to the line, she clipped the ball past them and into the goal from the tightest of angles.

The Hoops have now played eight league games without defeat, a draw with high-flying Spartans the only blight on a near-perfect record.

And Hoops’ coach Brian Delaney was delighted with his side’s efforts. After the match he said: “It was vitally important to consolidate our position at the top of the league today and there were some really good goals into the bargain.

“It was also nice to have the chance to put some good young players into the team because we are trying to promote youth from within the club and we feel there are really exciting times ahead.”

Mandy Mair