SWPL
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
The Oriam, Edinburgh

HEARTS… 1
(Waldie 81)

CELTIC… 3
(Flint 17, 34, Gallacher 31)

Celtic FC Women maintained top spot in the SWPL heading into the final day of the season after running out 3-1 winners over Hearts.

Travelling to the capital for their last away trip of the campaign, the Ghirls put in an impressive first-half display, with goals from Tash Flint and Amy Gallacher sending them on their way to three points.

In recent times a trip to Edinburgh has proved tricky for the top six sides in the SWPL, so the Celts knew what sort of challenge was lying ahead.

However, there wasn’t any sign of slips ups from Elena Sadiku’s side who came out the blocks and made a bright start to proceedings.

After a strong opening period, it took just 17 minutes for Celtic to take the lead as Tash Flint was back amongst the goals.

Latching on to a pass inside the area, the forward took one touch to set herself, before finding the bottom corner with a clever finish.

It was almost a quick-fire double for the Hoops too, with Amy Gallacher coming close after winning the ball back straight from kick-off, but the Hearts shot-stopper produced a strong save to deny the Celtic number seven.

Once again though, she wouldn’t have to wait long to score her 27th goal of the season as the Celts quickly doubled their advantage.

Just beyond the half-hour mark, the striker produced a fantastic finish on the outside of her right foot to find the bottom corner and hand the Ghirls a well-deserved two-goal lead.

The Hoops were on fire inside the opening half as Flint went on to grab her second and Celtic’s third of the evening.

Grabbing a brace in style, the English forward dinked the ball over the on-rushing Hearts goalkeeper to find the back of the net.

Heading into the second half, following such an impressive first half display the Celts knew that the three points were all but wrapped up in the penultimate game of the campaign.

It wasn’t the most fluid of second-half performances from the Ghirls, who were restricted to shots from range for the most part.

Going into the final 10 minutes of the game, the home side managed to pull one back from a corner heading the ball home from close-range.

However, it was too little too late as the Ghirls ran out 3-1 winners with their first half performance proving too much for Hearts.

Wednesday evening’s result now leaves the Celts sitting in top spot with just one game remaining, and 16 goals better off in terms of goal difference.

The Ghirls will look to round off the season in style, with the chance to make history awaiting as they return to Paradise to take on Hibernian this Sunday (May 19).

CELTIC: Daugherty, Barclais (Smith 60), Ross (Cavanagh 37), Craig (Cummings 73), Gallacher (Robertson 60), Shen (Loferski 73), Agnew, Clark, Hayes, Ashworth-Clifford, Flint.
Subs: Logan, Menglu, Goldie, McAneny

Hoops beat Hearts to set up final day drama at Paradise this Sunday