Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Petershill Park, Glasgow

PARTICK THISTE... 1
(Henderson 57)

CELTIC... 2
(Hayes 30, 90+5)

Celtic FC Women picked up another huge three points in the SWPL, scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner to defeat Partick Thistle 2-1.

Caitlin Hayes gave the Hoops the lead going in at the break, but the Ghirls were pegged back just before the hour mark.

With the game looking like it would be heading for a draw, the defender popped up in stoppage time to score a huge goal and secure victory for Celtic.

The Hoops’ first opportunity of the game came inside the opening five minutes of the game, as they looked to respond to defeat on Thursday evening.

Jacynta was first to test the Thistle goalkeeper, after working some space inside the penalty area, but her stinging effort was palmed away to safety.

Just a few minutes later, Amy Gallacher was next to try her luck as he attempted to add to her goal tally in the league this campaign. However, her strike was comfortable for the shot-stopper.

Throughout the match Jacynta had been causing the home side’s defence all sorts of trouble, and on the half-hour mark she played a key role in the Hoops’ opening goal of the game.

Following a terrific run, the 21-year-old won a free-kick in an extremely dangerous area on the edge of the box, which was delivered into the box by Maria McAneny. The Celtic youngster found the head of Caitlin Hayes, who nodded the ball home into the back of the net to give the Ghirls a well-deserved lead after their early pressure.

The Ghirls quickly went on the hunt for a second, grabbing the ball straight after scoring the opener and heading for the halfway line to get the game underway once more.

And that almost paid off, with Jacynta coming close to getting her name on the scoresheet in the opening 45 minutes after striking the post from a free-kick in a wide area.

Despite continuing to push for the second, Celtic failed to really test the Partick Thistle number one between the sticks. Ultimately, that would come back to haunt the Hoops as the home side levelled up the scoring just before the hour mark.

Hitting on the counter attack, Thistle forward Cara Henderson headed the ball into the back of the net after a perfectly delivered cross into the box.

The Celts had it all to do heading into the final half-hour of the match, but nothing seemed to be falling their way.

Fran Alonso made a number of changes, pushing for winner, which didn’t seem to be coming.

And it was Partick Thistle who came closest to taking the lead, but the returning Chloe Logan, making her first appearance in 15 months, made a fantastic double save to deny the home side.

With the game heading into stoppage time, Celtic scored an enormous goal via Caitlin Hayes to grab all three points.

A long free-kick from inside the Celtic half bounced in the Thistle box, and Hayes reacted quickest to head the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper.

That would be the final action of the match, and it was another dramatic end to proceedings with the Ghirls securing another important victory right at the end.

Next up for Fran Alonso and his squad will be another huge match in the SWPL as they take on Glasgow City at Celtic Park this Thursday, May 11 (KO: 7.30pm).

CELTIC: Logan, Otto (Ross 67), Robertson (Shen 58), Craig, Gallacher, Jacynta, Clark, Hayes, Bowie (Menglu 58), Flint (Fergusson 58), McAneny (Loferski 67).
Subs: Tajonar, Kerner, Goldie

Caitlin Hayes is the last-gasp hero again as Celtic beat Partick Thistle