Goals from Alana Marshall and Sarah Ewens either side of half time gave Spartans a deserved 2-0 win over Rangers at Ainslie Park.
There was a place once again on the home bench for youngster Ellie Simpson who continues to impress whilst Eartha Cumings continued between the sticks – fresh from her International endeavours at the same ground earlier in the week.
5th place Rangers were looking to create a gap between them and Debbi McCulloch’s side however they were temporarily down to 10 just two minutes into the game after Claire Gemmell was injured after a collision with a colleague and received lengthy treatment off the field.
Spartans took the lead in the 15th minute after determined play by Sarah Ewens up the touchline allowed the striker to whip in an inch perfect cross to the back post for Alana Marshall to knock the ball home from close range.
Rangers looked to pull things back on level terms on the brink of half time as Gillian Sloey raced in on goal, only for a timely intervention from the back-tracking Ronaigh Douglas to send the shot behind.
Half Time: Spartans 1-0 Rangers
Sarah Ewens doubled Spartans lead just six minutes after the break. Claire Crosbie’s deft flick from outside the box put Ewens in on goal and with pinpoint precision she lifted the ball past the advancing keeper to score her 15th goal of the campaign.
Captain Katie Reilly came close to extending her side’s advantage however the woodwork denied her powerful strike from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.
Ellie Simpson replaced Ronaigh Douglas on the hour mark after the latter once again put her body on the line, this time denying Megan Foley a chance to get Rangers back in the game.
Rangers were offered an opportunity from a free-kick just outside the home box after Ciara Barnes was penalised for an alleged handball. Chelsie Watson’s effort cleared the wall – and the bar – to keep the two goal cushion intact.
It was almost a dream goal for substitute Ellie Simpson after her shot from the corner of the Rangers box looked as if it might trouble replacement keeper Rachel Halbert, only for the head of a visiting defender to direct the ball behind for a corner kick.
Full Time: Spartans 2-0 Rangers