Scottish Gas Scottish Women’s Cup
Sunday, February 4, 2023
New Douglas Park, Hamilton

HAMILTON ACCIES… 0

CELTIC… 6
(Ross 25, 28, 40, Craig 53, OG 68, Hayes 83)

It was a return to winning ways for Celtic FC Women, who sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 6-0 victory over Hamilton Accies.

A first-half hat-trick from Natalie Ross was followed up by goals from Chloe Craig, Caitlin Hayes and an own goal.

From early on in the match, Elena Sadiku’s side were creating chances as Murphy Agnew had the first sighting at goal, flashing a header just by the post.

Following a period of early pressure, the breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark as Natalie Ross netted the first of a trio of goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, the midfielder’s left-footed strike was directed perfectly into the top corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Ross fired home her second of the game, being quickest to react to a loose ball inside the area, tapping home from close-range.

And just before the break, Ross and Celtic had their third. Following some neat play from Shen Menglu and Murphy Agnew, a chance appeared to open up for the American.

However, she unselfishly opted to pick out Ross inside the area, who was on hand to secure an impressive first-half hat-trick.

Elena Sadiku’s side weren’t content with just three goals heading into the second half, with the Celtic boss introducing a number of changes, including Amy Gallacher and Chloe Craig.

And fresh off scoring her 100th goal for the club, the defender added to her tally with a fantastic finish. A corner into the box broke Craig’s way at the back post, and she made no mistake with her finish on the half-volley.

Her fellow half-time substitute Amy Gallacher was next to come close to adding to the scoring, following some brilliant pressing from Agnew. However, she couldn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

The final two goals would come from set-pieces as Maria McAneny’s deliveries caused all sorts of danger for the home side.

The first of those was turned home by a Hamilton defender into the back of her own net, before Caitlin Hayes added to the scoring in the closing stages.

McAneny was unfortunate not to find the back of the net herself, seeing two strong efforts well-saved and cleared away.

Six goals at New Douglas Park sealed victory for the Hoops for the first time under Elena Sadiku as the Ghirls advanced to the quarter-final stage of the Scottish Cup.

The Celts will discover their next round opponents in tomorrow evening’s draw, but the focus quickly switches back to league action on Wednesday evening as they face an away game against Motherwell.

CELTIC: Logan, Cummings, Ross (Loferski 63), Smith, Cavanagh (Gallacher 46), Agnew, Clark (Craig 46), Hayes, Partido (Burchill 77), Goldie, Menglu (McAneny 63).
Subs: Daugherty, Barclais, Ashworth-Clifford, Addi

Six of the best as Celts progress in the Scottish Cup