Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, 15 October, 2023
Petershill Park

PARTICK THISTLE…0

CELTIC…3

(Partido 30, Agnew 68, Craig 76)

Celtic FC Women continued their fine start to the SWPL campaign, by making it 10 league wins from as many games with a 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle.

Paula Partido’s first-half strike broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, before a quick-fire double from Murphy Agnew and Chloe Craig sealed all three points.

During the early stages of the match, Partick Thistle looked to try and cause trouble for Celtic shot-stopper Kelsey Daugherty, sending long balls into the box. However, the American was a match for anything was thrown her way.

Following that short flurry from the home side, Celtic asserted their dominance and remained on top throughout the match at Petershill Park.

Kit Loferski and Caitlin Hayes both came close to opening the scoring as the Celts aimed to cause danger from set-plays. But they couldn’t direct their efforts on target.

In the first half, Partido in particular was causing trouble for her marker down the right-hand side and she was first to test the Partick Thistle goalkeeper with a stinging effort, which was palmed to safety.

After showing her threats with that strike, it didn’t take long for the Spaniard to test her luck once again, but on this occasion, she found the back of the net.

Following a superb cross field pass from Colette Cavanagh, Partido took one touch to set herself, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner on her weaker left foot for Celtic’s 50^th league goal of the season so far.

As the half came to a close, the provider of the opening goal almost turned goal-scorer as Cavanagh struck the crossbar twice, seeing her effort from the edge tipped on to the frame.

Heading into the second half, the Hoops continued to pile the pressure on the Thistle goal, attempting to add to their tally for the afternoon.

On two occasions, Loferski had opportunities to get herself on the scoresheet, striking the post and seeing a one-on-one saved by the goalkeeper.

The Ghirls finally found a second goal in the match just before the 70-minute mark as substitute Murphy Agnew extended Celtic’s lead.

Following a well-worked move down the left-hand side, Shen Menglu’s cutback found the American on the edge. Remaining composed, she tucked the ball into bottom corner with a first-time finish.

It didn’t take long for the Celts to find their way to goal once more as Chloe Craig continued her fine run of form in front of goal, securing victory for the Hoops.

A corner into the box found the head of the defender, who directed her effort on target and it looked destined for the back of the net. However, it was well cleared off the line.

Craig didn’t give up there, though, following the ball up and smashing it home into the top corner of the net to make the score 3-0.

There was almost time for one more too, as a long ball over the top found the feet of Amy Gallacher who directed the ball towards goal, but it struck the crossbar.

It was another dominant display from the Celts at Petershill Park as they made it 10 league wins from 10 games, maintaining their position at the top of the SWPL.

Next up for the Hoops is a return to the Excelsior Stadium as they take on Rangers in the opening Glasgow derby of the campaign.

10/10 in SWPL for Celtic Ghirls with win over Thistle