Hearts Women stand on the threshold of a historic first Scottish Women’s Premier League title following Lauren Wade’s winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Celtic at New Douglas Park at the weekend.
The defining moment of the match arrived just before half-time when the Coleraine-born midfielder clinically netted the winning goal to restore a lead that the Jambos would refuse to relinquish. Wade, whose international colleague Joely Andrews was also in the starting line-up, fired a low strike into the bottom corner to secure an historic 2-1 victory over Celtic.
The Edinburgh outfit now have a four-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League, and a win in their upcoming home match against Glasgow City next weekend will officially crown them champions.
Reflecting on her match-winning contribution, Wade was quick to pivot the spotlight onto the collective spirit of the squad.
“It was an incredible feeling,” Wade told irishfa.com. “I’m just so happy to score such an important goal and to get the three points. The team’s effort was phenomenal, and I’m just proud to be part of this journey with Hearts.”
Despite the euphoria of the away win, the Northern Ireland international remains grounded ahead of next Sunday’s crucial encounter against Glasgow City.
"Next week’s game is without a doubt the biggest club game I will have ever played in,” she added. “It’s a massive occasion, and we will prepare the same for this game as we have done all season. We have to keep believing.”
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Trai Hume started the goalless draw at home to Manchester United, though Daniel Ballard was absent from the side through suspension following his red card against Wolves.
Nineteen-year-old Kieran Morrison was an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, while Justin Devenny also remained on the bench as Crystal Palace drew 2-2 against Everton at Selhurst Park.
The opening first-leg fixtures of the Championship play-offs both ended in goalless draws, with Shea Charles taking centre stage as he came on as a second-half substitute to help Southampton secure a vital clean sheet at the Riverside Stadium.
Elsewhere, Paddy McNair remained an unused substitute as Hull City were also held to a scoreless draw by Millwall.
Defender Eoin Toal starred for Bolton Wanderers as they secured a slender 1-0 lead over Bradford City in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final, while Jamie Reid’s Stevenage side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Stockport County.
In the League Two play-offs, Lee Bonis, who has scored 18 goals this season, started Chesterfield’s 1-0 defeat at home to Notts County.
Finally, in the U18 Premier League, Northern Ireland U19 international Sid Eldred scored twice in Ipswich Town’s 8–3 home defeat to Aston Villa, a match in which Jamal Kellyman was also on target for the visitors.