SWPL
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Perershill Park

GLASGOW CITY… 1
(Giamonna 90)

CELTIC… 2
(Hayes 37, Flint 56)

Celtic FC Women continued their perfect start to the post-split fixtures after running out 2-1 winners against Glasgow City on Sunday afternoon.

A late first half goal from Caitlin Hayes was soon followed by a powerful strike just before the hour mark by Tash Flint, which handed the Hoops a commanding second-half lead.

The home side were able to pull a goal back right on the stroke of 90 minutes, but it proved to be just a consolation strike as Elena Sadiku’s side came away with another important three points.

After kicking off the final 10 fixtures of the campaign with an impressive Glasgow derby win over Rangers, the Ghirls were back in action on Sunday as they made the shot trip to Petershill.

It has proved to be a tricky venue in the past, with one of Elena Sadiku’s first games coming here back at the end of January.

However, the Celts were on the front foot right from the start in what was a fast and competitive first-half of action.

In the early stages, the Hoops were looking increasingly dangerous on the counter-attack, with Kit Loferski’s pace causing trouble in behind.

Tash Flint also had a few early opportunities as she looked to continue her recent impressive run in front of goal. However, she just couldn’t connect to cause Gibson trouble between the Glasgow City sticks.

Elena Sadiku’s side were made to wait as they went on the hunt for the all-important opener, which finally came with around eight minutes left to play in the first half.

The Hoops have shown their threat from set-pieces on many occasions in the past, and that was once again the case with their first corner of the match.

Caitlin Hayes was on hand to meet Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s superb delivery into the box and head the ball home to make the score 1-0.

Heading into the second half, the home side enjoyed a short period where they looked to trouble Kelsey Daugherty’s goal on the counter and with strikes from distance. However, the Celtic shot-stopper was a match for anything that came her way.

And just before the hour mark, the Ghirls were able to double their advantage as Flint got on the scoresheet.

Following a wonderful pass in behind the City defence by Amy Gallacher, the forward showcased her strength to shrug off the City defender, before slotting the ball into the far bottom corner.

Just moments later, after setting up the second goal, Gallacher came close to grabbing one of her own as she forced Gibson into a terrific save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

As the game headed towards the closing stages, it appeared more and more likely that all three points would be coming back to the East End of Glasgow after a terrific performance from the Celts.

The home side did manage to pull back a late consolation goal through Carlee Giammona, turning the ball home from a floated free-kick into the box.

However, the Celts were able to see out the game and secure another hugely important three points going into the international break.

CELTIC: Daugherty, Craig, Gallacher, Shen, Cavanagh (Goldie 80), Clark, Hayes, Partido (Barclais 57), Loferski (Agnew 80), Ashworth-Clifford, Flint (Burchill)

Celts sink City to maintain impressive run of form