Spartans entertained reigning champions Glasgow City at Spartans Academy and despite an improved performance from the previous week it was City who headed back along the M8 with 3 points.

There was a shock for City in the first couple of minutes when a clash between Spartans keeper Hutcheson and City striker Jane Ross looked to have caused serious injury to the young striker but thankfully after treatment she was able to continue. It was City who were first to press with Hutcheson having to look lively to thwart Ross but it was Spartans who opened the scoring after six minutes. A great tackle on the halfway line by Faughnan released Barry down the right and her cross was expertly tucked away by Hamill. It didn’t take City long to equalise in somewhat controversial circumstances, good play by Evans saw her get in behind Faughnan and resulted in the full back clearly fouling the City forward, the referee had a good look at it and pointed to the spot although the offence looked as though it happened outside the box, with Evans momentum carrying her into the box. Leanne Ross made no mistake from the spot sending keeper Hutcheson the wrong way. Once they had equalised City looked the better side but it looked as though they were going to struggle to break down Spartans rearguard before the break, however, 2 goals in as many minutes on the stroke of half time saw City take a 3-1 lead and effectively kill the game. The first came after a good run down the left by Gemmell and her cut back was bundled into the net by Leanne Ross and straight from the kick off another good cross from Jane Ross was expertly finished by Sneddon from 20 yards.

The opening period of the second half was a tighter affair with neither side creating any real chances in the first 15 minutes, Jane Ross had a great shot on 65 minutes which was brilliantly turned over by Hutcheson and McSorley blazed wildly over the bar when a more composed finish was needed, at the other end good link up play from Lauder and Barry saw Lauder’s shot well blocked by the feet of Johnstone. The game was effectively killed off for the home side on 76 minutes when Faughnan who had been booked in the first half for a reckless tackle was dismissed for persistent fouling. Moments later the game was wrapped up with a lovely left foot strike by Lappin from the edge of the box. Spartans to their credit kept plugging away and got some consolation five minutes from time when a lovely through ball from Barry sent Lauder clear and she coolly rounded the keeper to score.

Spartans certainly competed better this week against a very good side and a performance like that would have seen them leave Glasgow with all 3 points last week. That was the first time that Spartans had been beaten at home in the League since they moved to the Academy in November 2008 and I’m sure as the season improves they will get injured players back and move back up the table again.

Spartans meet Inverness on Thursday night in the SWPL cup semi final at Perth and although they beat Inverness on the opening league game of the season everyone at the club knows that only a great performance will see them progress against a team that are giving a great account of themselves this season.