Real Scottish People's League Week 33
An early start to Week 33 of the Real SPL saw St Johnstone briefly move into second place and cut the gap to leaders Motherwell to nine points - but they would relinquish second slot to Dundee Utd by the end of the week's fixtures. Their win over ICT would be the first of two home defeats for Inverness - not a good week for the Highlanders.
A total of 17 goals were scored in the Real SPL's four games at the weekend - an average of over four per game, once again demonstrating the entertainment on offer from this new league.
And those concerned about quality prior to the construction of the RSPL need only look at Rudi Skacel's stunning strike at Tynecastle as Hearts rolled over lacklustre Aberdeen to put daylight between the two sides and all but secured their European place for the following season.
There was no shortage of quality at Tannadice too, but unfortunately for Dunfermline it was almost entirely from the home side as a Jon Daly-inspired Dundee United also won 3-0. The Arabs' late charge has now brought them to within eight points of leaders Motherwell as the season enters the final stages.
Meanwhile, six goals were shared between Kilmarnock and St Mirren as the Saints ended a dire spell of form by coming back from a goal down to deservedly beat the League Cup holders 4-2.
And on Sunday, Hibs staged their own comeback from a goal down to defeat Inverness in the Highlands and sink another nail in Dunfermline's relegation coffin. The five-point cushion over the Pars will give the Hibees the breathing space they require so they can concentrate on their Scottish Cup semi final against Aberdeen in a fortnight's time.
Week 33 Results:
Wednesday March 28th, 2012
Inverness Caley Thistle 0-1 St Johnstone
Saturday March 31st, 2012
Dundee Utd 3-0 Dunfermline
Hearts 3-0 Aberdeen
St Mirren 4-2 Kilmarnock
Sunday April 1st, 2012
Inverness Caley Thistle 2-3 Hibernian
Week 33 Table:
| Home | Away | |||||||||||||
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Motherwell | 26 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 11 | +18 | 54 |
| 2 | Dundee Utd | 26 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 27 | 16 | +22 | 46 |
| 3 | St Johnstone | 26 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 21 | 10 | +12 | 45 |
| 4 | Hearts | 26 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 13 | +12 | 38 |
| 5 | Aberdeen | 26 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 19 | -3 | 31 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 27 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 17 | -4 | 31 |
| 7 | Inverness CT | 26 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 24 | -7 | 31 |
| 8 | Kilmarnock | 27 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 30 |
| 9 | Hibernian | 26 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 21 | 28 | -14 | 25 |
| 10 | Dunfermline | 26 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 16 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 24 | -25 | 20 |