Scottish Women’s Premier League 1
Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie
Sunday February 20, 2022

CELTIC… 2
(Hayes 5, Shen 83)

HEARTS… 0

Celtic FC Women got back to winning ways in the SWPL 1 after securing a 2-0 victory over Hearts at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie on Sunday.

The Ghirls opened their scoring account within five minutes of kick-off, with their early pressure paying off when Caitlin Hayes headed in from a corner.

Almost the entire first-half was spent in the Hearts half, with the Hoops having countless opportunities to increase their lead, but unable to test keeper Charlotte Parker-Smith.

In the 35^th minute, Shen Mengyu had her shot parried away by the Hearts keeper, and both Shen and Clarissa Larisey looked lively and hungry in and around the box as they tried to link up.

A few minutes into the second-half, Jacynta drove the ball towards the near post, but again Parker-Smith was there to stop Celtic doubling their lead.

The Ghirls came agonisingly close in the 54th minute when Shen put the ball through for Larisey to run on to, but her shot skipped around the post, while both Shen and Larisey havingn shot off target, with the elements not helping.

Hearts came close to equalising in the 82nd minute from a free-kick, but Celtic keeper, Anna Vincenti looked comfortable and dealt with the set-piece. And on 83 minutes, Celtic grabbed their second goal when Shen’s effort was turned in by a Hearts defender after a goalmouth scramble.

Hearts came close again in stoppage time when Amelie Birse broke free and managed to go around Vincenti but her shot bounced off the post.

With several Celts on international duty, spots on the bench opened up for young players, Olivia Potter and Abbie Ferguson, who helped maintain a 2-0 lead until the final whistle.

CELTIC: Vincenti, Shorts (Timoney), Craig, Jacynta, Mengyu, Larisey (Ferguson), Harkes (Potter), Toland, Hayes (Bartle), Olafsdottir Gros (Bowie), Warrington.
Subs: Hay, Dobbins.

Match Reaction

Celtic Women break Hearts to take all three points