Danique Ypema’s spectacular 81st minute strike sent Hearts top of the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Glasgow City at Petershill Park on Sunday.
The Dutch defender helped the Jambos record their first ever victory over the Glasgow side, as they went two points clear of their title race rivals.
Eva Olid made a single change from Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Celtic at Oriam.
Danique Ypema came in to replace Georgia Hunter in defence.
It was an expectedly cagey first half in the chilly conditions at Petershill. Glasgow City held the majority of the possession, but neither side created many clear-cut chances.
Hearts looked to hit City on the break early on using the pace of Georgia Timms. The striker, and skipper for the evening, sprinted down the right and swung in a cross looking for the run of Lauren Wade in the box, but City were able to get it cleared.
In the 23rd minute, Lisa Evans looked to test Carolina Vilão in goal for the Jambos with a low effort on her left foot just inside the box, but it was a comfortable take.
Just after the half hour mark, Linda Motlhalo was found free from a corner from the left and struck one on her right foot which was held well by Vilão.
The Jam Tarts came forward through Sade Adamolekun towards the end of the first 45. She swung in a decent cross from the right flank, looking for Johns and Timms in the middle, but City’s defence stood strong once again.
Half-time: Glasgow City 0-0 Hearts
An injury to Vilão meant that Rachael Johnstone came on to replace her in goals at the break, and was called into action almost immediately. Motlhalo picked up the ball and had a pop from 25-yards out, as Johnstone made a good low stop to her left hand side to deny her.
On 56 minutes, Motlhalo sprinted down the right and played it into the feet of Evans at the edge of the box, who promptly hit a low drive which was dragged wide of the target.
With 25 to go, substitute Eilidh Shore played a great through ball to set Timms in behind. The striker weaved her way into the box and got a strike away, but couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Gibson in goal.
City continued to come forward, as Lauder tried her luck from distance with a dipping strike which forced Johnstone to tip it over the bar for a corner, which then came to nothing for the hosts.
Just after, Evans swung in another corner which found Mothalo in plenty of space, but her first time effort went wide of the target.
With nine minutes left to go, Hearts made the all-important breakthrough. Jenna Slattery swung in a corner from left which City failed to clear properly. It eventually came to Ypema from just outside the box, who hit an incredible low strike which was fired into the bottom right corner, giving Gibson no chance in goal.
It was a goal worthy of winning any match, as the Jambos went on to secure a huge three points in the post-split.
Glasgow City: Gibson, Muir ©, Lauder, Golob, Harrison, Wrobel, Evans, Smit, Motlhalo, Maatta, Brownlie
Subs: Clachers, Warrington, McLaughlin, Forrest, Whelan, Earl, Thomas, Tanaka, Gray
Hearts: Vilao (Johnstone, 46’), Ypema, J. Husband, E. Husband, Timms ©, Adamolekun (Slattery, 64’), Wade (Forsyth, 70’), Dolan (Jardine, 85’), Andrews (Shore, 46’), Girasoli, Johns
Subs: Johnstone, Hunter, Forsyth, Shore, Jardine, Richards, Burn, Chomczuk, Slattery
