SWPL
Sunday, October 12, 2025
New Douglas Park

CELTIC…7

(Cross 26, 70, Noonan 41, 89, Lawton 44, Clark 69, McAneny 75)

MOTHERWEL…1

(Collins 58)

Celtic FC Women marked their return to league action with a dominant 7-1 victory over Motherwell.

The Ghirls ran out comfortable winners at New Douglas Park, taking a three-goal lead in at half time thanks to goals from Morgan Cross, Saoirse Noonan and Emma Lawton.

The away side did manage to pull a goal back, but the Celts responded in style, with further strikes from Cross and Noonan, as well as goals from Kelly Clark and Maria McAneny.

It was back to league duties for Elena Sadiku’s side, who returned to New Douglas Park for their first of two home fixtures over the next week.

During the opening stages of the match, it was all Celtic who were putting pressure on the Motherwell goal looking for that all important first goal.

The Celts’ best chance in those opening stages fell the way of both Maria McAneny and Amy Gallacher, who both seen shots blocked.

Following some clever play on the left from Streicek, who turned her marker, she delivered a low cross, which fell the way of McAneny.

The Celtic number 73 looked to get a shot off, which was blocked, but in turn, fell to Gallacher. But the away side did well to throw bodies in front of the ball.

The Ghirls were made to wait, but their opener did finally come just before the half hour mark through Morgan Cross.

The winger showcased brilliant persistence to chase down what looked like a lost cause, reaching the ball before the keeper.

Rounding the Motherwell shot-stopper, she then had the simple task of tapping home to fire Celtic into the lead.

Moments later, the winger came close to a second, making an intelligent run inside the area, getting ahead of her marker, but she just couldn’t get on the end of the cross.

With the half-time whistle approaching, the Celts scored two quick-fire goals to extend their first half advantage.

First of all, it was Saoirse Noonan who got her name on the scoresheet, heading the ball home from close range.

A corner into the box caused all sorts of havoc for the away side, with Emma Lawton striking the crossbar.

The ball bounced up perfectly for the striker, who headed the ball into the net from just a few yards out.

Just a matter of minutes later, the Celts had a third and this time it was Emma Lawton, who scored her first goal of the season.

The defender was quickest to react inside the area after Maria McAneny seen her shot saved, smashing the ball home.

With a well-deserved lead at the break, the Ghirls would have been pushing on and looking for more.

However, it was the away side who struck first in the second half, scoring against the run of play from a corner.

The Hoops didn’t let that effect what was a superb display though, going on to respond with four goals.

After celebrating her 350^th appearance for the club last week, Kelly Clark marked her 351^st appearance with a goal.

Aislin Streicek’s corner into the box looked to be heading straight into the back of the net, but struck the post.

The ball then fell the way of Clark, who struck home from close range, scoring her first of the campaign, and Celtic’s fourth of the day.

That was soon followed by another quick-fire goal, with Morgan Cross scoring her second of the afternoon.

The winger, who has been on red-hot form this season, showcased her confidence, running through one-on-one, before slotting the ball beyond the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Celtic weren’t done there, with Maria McAneny getting in on the act with a superb headed finish, latching onto a long ball over the top by Claire Walsh.

The scoring was then rounded off in the dying moments of the game as Noonan also secured a brace.

Some great play down the left by substitute Amy Richardson, laid the ball on a plate for the Irish forward to stroke home her second and Celtic’s seventh.

It was a pleasing afternoon for Sadiku and her squad, putting in one of their standout performances of the season so far.

They will look to build on that with another big game before the international break, as they take on Glasgow City at New Douglas Park.

Magnificent seven for Celtic as Ghirls see off Motherwell with dominant display