Scottish Women's Premier League 1
K-Park, East Kilbride
Friday, February 21, 2020

CELTIC… 2
(Ewens 48, Clark 90+2)

GLASGOW CITY… 1
(Shine 46)

KELLY Clark was the Friday night Hoops hero as the Celtic captain fired home an injury-time goal to give Fran Alonso’s side a 2-1 win over defending league champions, Glasgow City, in the opening game of the 2020 season.

In horrendous weather conditions, Celtic battled back from a goal down to take all three points in a thoroughly deserved victory.

It was the Hoops’ new Spanish striker, Anita, who had the first chance of the match, coming close with a header after just six minutes, before she set up Sarah Ewens with a chance that the City defence did well to block.

American midfielder, Sarah Teegarden came even closer after 26 minutes after Ewens had fed the ball to her, but her looping shot came crashing back off the crossbar.

Fran Alonso’s side were looking the more likely to grab the opening goal, but when they were called upon, the Celtic defence dealt well with any attacks from the visitors.

And with six minutes of the first-half remaining, it was Teegarden who came close again, latching on to a cross from her compatriot, Summer Green, but her shot went narrowly wide.

If Celtic had enjoyed the bulk of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, they suffered a blow just a minute into the second half when Clare Shine fired City into the lead after the Hoops were unable to clear a corner.

However, Celtic responded almost immediately and were level within two minutes courtesy of a stunning strike from Sarah Ewens who fired in an unstoppable right foot shot from the left flank that soared into the top corner of the net.

And on 65 minutes, Summer Green fashioned an opportunity for herself with some great skill, but her shot went narrowly over.

Celtic had the ball in the net on 76 minutes when Josephine Giard, on as a substitute for Anita, slotted home Lisa Robertson’s free-kick, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement inside the City box.

Both sides continued to battle the elements as they searched for a winner, and defender Jodie Bartle came close in the 88th minute with an effort that went wide.

And just when it looked as though the Hoops would have to settle for a share of the spoils, Kelly Clark popped up with a winner in the second minute of added time.

A corner into the City box was cleared only as far as the Celt skipper, and from 15 yards out, she took a touch before firing home an unstoppable right-foot shot to give her side a 2-1 win.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Celtic, with Fran Alonso getting his first league campaign as Hoops boss off to a winning start.

CELTIC: Logan, Bartle, Craig, Warrington, Ross, Robertson, Teegarden (Brenda 72), Clark, Ewens, Green, Anita (Giard, 66).
Subs: Kerr, Donaldson, Nicolson, McAllister, McGovern

Kelly is Celtic's hero with last-gasp winner against Glasgow City