SWPL1: Glasgow City 8 Forfar Farmington 0

A depleted Forfar Farmington side were comprehensively defeated by league leaders Glasgow City as the Scottish Women’s Premier League restarted on Sunday.

City netted eight times without reply at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium however a positive for Farmington was the introduction of three development players in Beth Shillitto, Caitlin Mitchell and Leah White while Louise Magilton returned from a dislocated knee suffered in April.

Forfar were without the suspended Sophie Milligan with Gemma Collier, Nicola Davidson, Lindsey Dunbar, Robyn Smith, Stephanie Milne and Kirsty Deans all missing due to different circumstances. This allowed 16 year old Caitlin Mitchell to make her first start for the side after three sub appearances.

Glasgow City went for the jugular from the start with Lauren McMurchie and Fiona Brown testing Fiona McNicoll and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. Haley Rosen sent in a free kick for McMurchie to glance a header past McNicoll in the 19th minute.

Louise Magilton had Forfar’s first chance in the 22nd minute however her effort from distance was blocked and eventually cleared. City doubled their advantage four minutes later when Leanne Ross forced her way into the box before curling home.

Brown looked lively for City and was next to get on the score sheet for the hosts five minutes from half time; she reacted first to a loose ball in the box to slip it under McNicoll as City tightened their grip on the game.

The league leaders managed to add a further two goals before the break, Ross slotting home a penalty after Megan McCarthy handled in the box and Savannah McCarthy firing past McNicoll with the last kick of the half.

Within nine minutes of the second half City had made it seven; Erin Cuthbert and sub Julie Fleeting adding to their tally.

Forfar were given a chance to grab a consolation on the hour mark when Kayleigh Noble was kicked inside the box, the referee quite rightly pointing to the spot. Vice captain Holly Napier stepped up but sent her effort high and wide of the mark.

Farmington seemed to be playing better in the second half and went close with efforts from Ann Taylor and Julia Scott while Beth Shillitto was almost presented with a great chance after Gemma Fay fluffed a clearance however she recovered to clear the danger with the youngster near.

Fleeting completed the scoring in the 73rd minute when she nodded home at the back post from a Ross cross.

Jade McLaren had Forfar’s best chance in the dying stages of the game; rising to meet a Scott corner with Fay clawing her goal bound header off the line.

The result sees Forfar drop to bottom with Stirling snatching a draw against Spartans and they face Scottish Cup duty this weekend with a trip to East Kilbride to take on Celtic.

Forfar Farmington: Fiona McNicoll, Ann Taylor, Alana Bruce, Megan McCarthy, Jade McLaren, Caitlin Mitchell, Kayleigh Noble (Leah White 75), Holly Napier, Louise Magilton (Beth Shillitto 56), Amy Gallacher, Julia Scott

Post Match with Mark Nisbet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPXvchKZKQU