SWPL
Sunday, May 04, 2025
Petershill Park

GLASGOW CITY…3

(Kozlova 24, 30, Lovera 45)

CELTIC…1

(Ashworth-Clifford 53)

Celtic FC Women suffered defeat at Petershill Park, losing out 3-1 against Glasgow City on Sunday afternoon.

Having fallen three goals behind in the first half, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s early second half strike look to have given the Hoops some hope.

However, they couldn’t find a way back into the game, with the home side taking all three points.

Following on from Wednesday’s dramatic late victory over Hearts, Elena Sadiku named the same starting eleven for the third game running.

Both goal scorers from midweek, Amy Gallacher and Maria McAneny maintained their place in the side and would have been aiming to grab the goals once more as they had done on the Hoops’ last visit to Petershill back in February.

The Ghirls actually started the game brightly, looking to build on the positive from Wednesday evening.

Early on in the match, Emma Lawton found space for a cross which looked to be heading for Lucy Ashworth-Clifford at the back post. But it was well collected by the City goalkeeper.

The Celts’ first opening of the game almost fell the way of Murphy Agnew, who worked hard to win the ball back high up the pitch.

Working a nice one-two with Saoirse Noonan, the American cut inside her marker before trying to strike on goal. But a last-ditch tackle denied the forward.

Despite their positive start to the match, it was Glasgow City who would open the scoring on the 24^th minute mark.

A long ball over the top found the run of Nicola Kozlova, who cut inside before striking into the roof of the net to give her side the advantage.

It didn’t take long for the home side and Kozlova to grab a second in the game on the half hour mark.

Pouncing upon a loose pass at the back from Kelsey Daugherty, Brenna Lovera laid the ball on a plate for her strike partner to tap home a second.

Things went from bad to worse for the Hoops just before the break as Lovera turned scorer, making the score 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.

With the Hoops finding themselves behind heading into the break, an early change in the second half from Sadiku looked to try and change things up.

And it was almost instant impact from Kit Loferski after being introduced, playing her part in setting up Lucy Ashworth-Clifford’s early second half strike.

Sending a teasing ball into the box, the winger couldn’t miss from the American’s delivery, tapping home at the back post.

With one back in the game, the Celts pushed for another quickly after. This time, it was Emma Lawton who sent another good cross into the box.

Her delivery found the feet of Saoirse Noonan, but she was unlucky to see her low strike blocked before hitting goal.

Rolling the dice further in the second half with the introduction of Abi Harrison, the forward almost played a part in setting up a big opportunity., but the goalkeeper reacted well once more.

It was ultimately too little, too late for the Hoops, who suffered defeat to the hands of Glasgow City at Petershill Park on what was a frustrating afternoon for Elena Sadiku and her squad.

Celts slip to defeat against Glasgow City at Petershill