Glasgow City defeat Celtic to move within 3 points of the title
Glasgow City defeated Celtic 4-0 tonight moving them within 3 points of lifting their seventh consecutive SWPL title and a timely boost ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League draw tomorrow for the last 32.
After an even start, the away side took the lead a minute before the break when Ruesha Littlejohn headed a Leanne Ross cross past Celtic and Scotland number one Gemma Fay.
After the goal, City grew in confidence and dominated the second half with Fay making a number of excellent saves to keep her side in the game.
Celtic’s best opportunity came against the run of play and almost punished City for their missed chances, but hoops striker Julie Fleeting headed over with only Lee Alexander in City nets to beat after an excellent cross from Fiona Brown. The former Scotland striker should have done better and if her effort had gone in it could have changed the shape of the game.
With Fleeting uncharacteristically missing the target, City’s pressure eventually counted and Fay could do nothing to prevent an excellent strike from City centre half Eilish McSorley hitting the top corner as she volleyed home from the edge of the box.
Celtic full back Emma Brownlie then saw a straight red for stopping a goal bound Leanne Crichton effort on the line with her hand and Leanne Ross converted from the spot to make it 3-0.
The icing on the cake for the away side came with virtually the last kick of the ball when recent signing Jess Fishlock bulleted an unstoppable shot past Fay from 20 yards out to mark her starting debut in style.
ity Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black was very happy with the win. He said, “I am obviously delighted with the three points and some of our finishing in the second half was excellent. We did well to go in ahead at the break as it was a scrappy first half and was quite even. When Fleeting headed over the bar, it could have been 1-1 and we would have been punished for our misses, but thankfully for us she never scored and after that I thought we were comfortable winners.”
Glasgow City now look forward to the UEFA Women’s Champions League draw tomorrow at UEFA HQ in Nyon at 12:30 CET. Head of Youth Amy McDonald is over in Switzerland to represent the Scottish Champions who are seeded for the first time in their history and are ranked 14th ahead of the knock out draw. Tickets will go on sale on the Glasgow City website www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk as soon as the draw is complete, with City’s home match scheduled for Thursday 17th October at Petershill Park. Kick off 7pm.
Pictured: Top - Celtic's Kylla Sjoman heads a City attack clear by Andy Buist. Bottom - Jess Fishlock lets fly to score the 4th goal of the game by Graeme Berry.
04.09.13
