Scottish Women’s Premier League 1

Penny Cars Stadium, Airdrie

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

CELTIC… 5

(Wellings 9, 14, 42, Chance 27, 37)

HEARTS… 0

Celtic FC Women put on a show for the fans in Airdrie on Wednesday night as they netted five first-half goals against Hearts as their SWPL 1 campaign draws to a close this week.

It was a stark contrast to the teams’ last meeting in the semi-final of the Scottish Women’s Cup semi-final where it took over 100 minutes for Celtic to score.

But, this time Celtic took the lead after less than 10 minutes through the league’s top scorer, Charlie Wellings.

Shen Mengyu crossed the ball into the striker who was well positioned in the box and used her brute strength to get the ball across the line.

Within five minutes, Wellings was on the scoresheet again thanks to another assist by Shen. The Englishwomen drilled a shot low into the far bottom corner.

The Hoops played good football at the Penny Cars Stadium, looking ready to score again at any moment – with an Olivia Chance free-kick showing more of what was to come.

The New Zealander made it 3-0 to Celtic within the first half-an-hour of play, sweeping the ball into the back of the net in the middle of a crowded box.

In the 37th minute, Chance scored her second of the match after Wellings shot was blocked and the ball came bouncing out of the box to the defensive midfielder, who blasted a brilliant shot into the net.

Chance then turned provider, crossing the ball into Wellings who stabbed the ball home to get her hat-trick and 39th goal of the season.

Fran Alonso made three changes at half-time, with Caitlin Hayes, Charlie Wellings and Shen Mengyu making way for Annie Timoney, Tegan Bowie and Chloe Warrington.

Warrington rattled the woodwork in the 57th minute with a powerful hit from long range which clipped the post. Chance picked up the rebound, but her attempt went wide.

The crowd gave out a big cheer as double goal-scorer Chance was replaced by Natalie Ross, who made her first appearance for Celtic this season after recovering from injury.

Hearts found a couple of openings in the second-half but nothing to make Celtic feel uncomfortable.

It was a good night all round for Celtic as the Ghirls’ got their business done early, while the Bhoys were crowned league champions.

CELTIC: Johnstone, Shorts, Clark, Hayes (Timoney), Atkinson (Bartle), Chance (Ross), Harkes, Olafsdottir Gros, Jacynta, Wellings (Bowie), Shen (Warrington).

SUBS: Craig, Marwaha.

Celtic put five past Hearts in impressive midweek display