High drama in SWF Championship and League One as leagues prepare to split
A late winner by Ayr United denied Rossvale a title party in a day of drama for the SWF Championship.
In the last full round of fixtures before Scotland’s women’s third tier splits into a top four and bottom five, Rossvale comfortably beat Dryburgh Athletic 6-0 in the early kick off, but needed second-placed Ayr United to fail to win in their game against Renfrew Ladies to clinch the title and automatic promotion to the SWPL.
Renfrew Ladies, who were looking to secure their own place in the top four, went ahead early through Michaela Brown and Ayr looked spooked, missing a penalty in the 24th minute to go in at the break behind.
Ayr came out fighting in the second half, however. Skipper Jodie Barbour laying off to Louise Cameron to score an equaliser in the 70th minute before Lauren McBlain’s late volley secured three points and mean Ayr remain four points ahead in that all-important playoff spot from East Fife, who beat Morton 6-0.
Renfrew’s loss meant Inverness Caledonian Thistle claimed a place in the top four with a comfortable 12-1 victory over bottom side Hutchison Vale, which included hat-tricks for Rhea Hossack, Iona MacArthur and Ellie Anderson.
The top three in SWF League One all won, with leaders Stenhousemuir beating Edinburgh Caledonia 4-0 at home and Forfar Farmington running out 7-1 victors against Dundee West. Third placed Falkirk beat Queen of the South 3-0, but the Donnhammers remain fifth ahead of Edinburgh Caledonia. The capital side must win their game in hand against Dundee West to take Queens’ place in the top five.
Elsewhere, Giffnock Soccer Centre found themselves 3-0 up against Airdrie Ladies in under 20 minutes, but the diamonds fought back to level the game with around twenty minutes to go. Returning from a long absence through injury, Nicole Ritchie popped up for Giffnock in injury time and scored the winner in what is a big win for the struggling Eastwood side.
In the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands league, Sutherland have gone top after beating Clachnacuddin 5-0 at home. Rivals Caithness were beaten 4-2 by Ross County, while last season’s double winners Buckie Ladies got back to winning ways with a 5-0 victory over Ross and Cromarty.
