Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Oriam, Edinburgh

HEARTS…1
(Smith 47)

CELTIC…2
(Jacynta 28, Menglu 30)

First half strikes from Jacynta and Shen Menglu were enough to seal a crucial victory on the road as Celtic ran out 2-1 winners in a tight meeting with Hearts.

The Hoops went two ahead and despite Hearts pulling one back early into the second half, the visitors held strong to take all three points back to Glasgow.

The opening stages seen both teams grapple for control, with the first real opportunity falling to Liv Chance, but her effort from range was held by Charlotte Parker Smith.

With 14 minutes gone Menglu had the ball in the back of the net, after Amy Gallacher slipped her through, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The breakthrough finally came though just before the half hour mark. Natalie Ross split the Hearts defence for Amy Gallacher to bear down on goal and go at Parker-Smith, but she unselfishly side-footed it to Jacynta, who knocked it too far ahead of the onrushing centre-halves and managed to poke it over the line from a yard out.

And two minutes later, Jacynta turned provider and found Menglu in the middle, who stepped in to drive through the gap and release a low driving shot for the far corner that clipped in off the post.

Despite the lead at the break, it was Hearts who hit first in the second half, as Jenny Smith pulled one back with a near post effort on 49 minutes.

Hearts continued to look for an equaliser but it was their keeper who remained the busier, with both Caitlin Hayes from the corner and Jacynta on the volley testing her before the hour mark.

Despite Celtic continuing to look to regain their two-goal cushion, Kelly Clark was called into defensive action as a great goal-line clearance denied Hearts an equaliser from a free-kick.

And the Hoops defended resolutely to ensure they won the match.

CELTIC: Tajonar, O’Riordan (Craig), Robertson, Ross, Gallacher, Jacynta, Shen (Fergusson), Chance (Bowie), Clark, Hayes, Menglu (Burchill).
Subs: Otto, Kerner, Goldie, Ferns, McAneny

Hoops break Hearts to make gains at the top of the table