Hearts Women extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League with a determined 2-1 win over Rangers at Broadwood on Friday.
An own goal from Rangers’ Jodie McLeary saw the Jambos take a 1-0 half-time lead, before Carly Johns made it two in the 53rd minute for her 18th league goal of the season.
The hosts fought back late on with a goal from Calliste Brookshire, but the women in maroon went on to record their first ever away victory over Rangers and a crucial result in the title race.
Eva Olid made two changes to the side that secured a 1-0 away win over Glasgow City before the international break.
Rachael Johnstone came in to replace the injured Carolina Vilao in between the sticks, as Kayla Jardine started ahead of Sade Adamolekun in midfield.
It was Rangers that got the game underway in the sunshine at Broadwood, and held the majority of the possession in the early stages.
Hearts looked to hit Leanne Crichton’s side on the break, and they thought they’d put themselves ahead in the 13th minute after Georgia Timms got on the end of a low cross from Lauren Wade out wide to score a tap in, but the goal was quickly ruled out for offside.
Up the other end, Rachael Johnstone was called into action after Lafaix latched on to a ball played over the top of the Hearts defence. She struck one on her left foot from close range which was denied well by Johnstone.
The women in maroon broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Georgia Timms drove down the right flank and showed good feet to get into the box, and fizzed a low ball to the back post which found Lauren Wade. The winger’s strike took a massive deflection off of Jodie McLeary and nestled into the bottom left corner for 1-0.
Half-time: Rangers 0-1 Hearts
The Jam Tarts doubled their advantage on 53 minutes. Carly Johns weaved her way into the box and down the byline, the striker refused to give up on it as she struck one from a tight angle and fired low past Fife for 2-0.
Rangers had a huge chance to equalise in the 63rd minute. McAulay’s cross-turned shot rattled off the right post, it arrived at the feet of Wilkinson from six yards, but the attacker failed to convert as she sent her effort wide of the post.
The hosts pulled a goal back late on. Brookshire drove own the right, cut on to her left foot and found the top left corner with her curled effort for 1-2.
Ultimately, Hearts dug deep once again to get themselves over the line and took all three points back to Edinburgh.
Rangers: Fife, Docherty, Pegram, Hay, Austin, Lafaix, Cruft, Brookshire, McLeary, Wilkinson, Ji Kim
Subs: Kelly, Hill, Rafferty, Sabajo, Mengwen, McAulay, Berry, Black, Boyce
Hearts: Johnstone, Ypema,J. Husband, E. Husband,Timms © (Richards, 70’), Wade (Forsyth, 70’), Dolan (Slattery, 62’), Jardine (Adamolekun, 62’), Andrews, Girasoli, Johns (Chomczuk, 79’)
Subs: Thomson, Hunter, Forsyth, Shore, Adamolekun, Richards, Chomczuk, Campbell, Slattery
