City defeat Celtic to march into Quarter Finals
Glasgow City today defeated Celtic 4-3 after extra time to progress into the Quarter Final draw of the Unite Scottish Cup.
Arguably two of the hottest favourites to lift the trophy, City and Celtic met at Petershill Juniors having played each other twice this season with a win a piece. City started strongly and nearly took the lead when a mix up in the Hoops defence saw a back pass hit off their own post with City striker Jane Ross just unable to convert the re-bound into the empty net.
City did however take the lead mid way through the first half after a free kick from Leanne Ross was met expertly by midfielder Sue Lappin as she powered her header past the helpless Claire Johnston in the Celtic goals.
Near the end of the first half, Celtic struck back when Pauline Hamill converted a free kick for the visiting side after City full back Clare Gemmell was wrongly adjudged to have handled the ball.
Half time 1-1.
City restored their lead at the beginning of the second half. A City corner was cleared by the Hoops defence and was picked up by City right back Jill Paterson who unleashed a 40 yard screamer which cannoned off the Hoops cross bar, eventually falling to Rachel Corsie who converted in a crowded penalty box for the home side.
City were really beginning to dominate the match now, but some fine goalkeeping from Johnstone in the Hoops nets and a goal line clearance from Karen Penglase, kept Celtic in the game.
Just like in the first half, Celtic got their equaliser from another free-kick, this time converted by Christie Murray who fired the ball past City goalkeeper Laura Williamson. Similar to Celtic’s first goal, it was an extremely disappointing goal for City to lose.
A second yellow card for goal hero Christie Murray saw the pint sized striker sent off with 20 minutes to go. City immediately capitalised when Corsie got her second of the day, with a glancing header from a City free kick, to put the home side 3-2 in front.
However, just when City thought they had the game won, the City defence gave the ball away allowing Celtic to release Jo Love and the Scotland midfielder made no mistake from inside the City box.
Full time 3-3.
In extra-time City pushed hard to gain the advantage and in the second period of extra-time got their reward when Jane Ross got in behind the Celtic defence and crossed for fellow striker Katharina Lindner, who slotted the ball past Johnstone.
Celtic threatened in the final moments from yet another set-piece, but City held strong for their 4-3 win.
City boss Peter Caulfield was happy with the win but disappointed at the way his team allowed Celtic back into the game.
He said, “Our aim was to be in the next round and we have achieved that. I thought that we were the only team who created chances from open play and really threatened. Celtic caused us problems only from set pieces and that is something we seriously need to look at. How we let them back in time and time again is not the City I know, but we are in the Quarter Finals and that is all that matters.”
22.02.09
