Glasgow City defeat Celtic to progress into the semi-final
League Cup holders Glasgow City safely progressed into the semi-final after defeating Celtic 2-1 at Petershill Park in front of a crowd of just under 200 in a match sponsored by Bounce Back Physiotherapy.
City went into the break ahead thanks to an opening goal from Jo Love and doubled their lead in the second period through Suzanne Malone who had come on as a half time substitute. With ten minutes of normal time to go, the home side gifted their opponents an easy goal after a City defensive mistake allowed Celtic striker Abigail Harrison to stroke the ball into an empty net. However, despite Celtic pushing frantically for the equaliser the Cup holders held firm and now go into the hat for the semi-final draw at Hampden this week.
Commenting on the match, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “It is a Cup tie so most importantly we are through to the next round. I felt in the first half the game seemed pretty even and the one time we got a good passing move together the bit of quality we have showed and we ended up scoring. I obviously felt that Suzanne Malone coming on at half time made a real difference to us and when we went 2-0 we were in total control. We gave ourselves a pressurised last 10 to 15 minutes through our own fault. Unfortunately that has been a pattern this season, but credit to the players they saw the game out and we now look forward to the draw for the semi’s.”
In the opening 10 minutes, hosts Glasgow City forced series of corners with chances falling to Danni Pagliarulo and Lisa Robertson, with the latter hitting a fierce drive from the edge of the box just over the bar.
A shot from distance from Kelly Clark on 15 minutes gave Celtic their first shot on goal, but the effort was too far out to trouble Alexander in the City nets who caught easily. Chloe Arthur tried her luck from distance next for the visitors but her shot was over the bar.
City were next to attack and Celtic centre half Rhonda Jones made a very good block from Ruesha Littlejohn as the City striker made space inside the Celtic box for a shot.
A good chance fell for Abigail Harrison midway through the first half, but the young Celtic striker shot wide from the edge of the box with Alexander out of position.
The best chance of the game in the opening period fell to City’s Lisa Robertson after some good play from Jo Love, Suzanne Lappin and Sarah Crilly, but the forward shot wide from a good angle inside the box.
On 36 minutes, City did however eventually take the lead as Jo Love fired home at the edge of the 6 yard box after an inviting cross from Ruesha Littlejohn to put her team ahead at the half time whistle.
Not long into the second half, there was a worrying moment for the home side as Eilish McSorley was stretchered off after a bad head injury ten minutes after the restart. It is hoped the City and Scotland centre half makes a speedy recovery.
Despite the setback City maintained their rhythm and made it 2-0 when some great individual play from half time substitute Suzanne Malone saw her weave her way past the Celtic back line before firing past Fay in the Celtic nets from an acute angle.
Glasgow City unnecessarily allowed their opponents back into the game after a poor defensive error gifted their visitors a goal out of nothing with Abigail Harrison eventually shooting into an empty net to make it 2-1 with 10 minutes of normal time to go.
Celtic’s best chance for another goal came through a header from Emma Brownlie, but that remained the Hoops only real opportunity for the vital equaliser as City maintained their composure to see the game out.
After a thrilling match at Petershill, the two teams will meet again next week, do to it all again once more when they meet in the SWPL.
Match sponsor Bounce Back Physiotherapy Player of the Match award went to Suzanne Lappin.
Next match: Glasgow City v Celtic, Sunday 28th April, Petershill Park, G21 4DD. 2pm Kick off. Cash Gate: Adults £5, Concessions £3, Kids Free.
Full League Cup Quarter Final Results
Glasgow City 2 – 1 Celtic
(City – Jo Love, Suzanne Malone. Celtic – Abigail Harrison)
Hibernian 3 – 2 Hamilton Accies AET
(Hibs – Susan Fairlie 2, Caroline Weir. Accies – Cheryl McCulloch, Ainsley Douglas (pen) )
Forfar 3 – 0 Hutchison Vale
(Forfar – Caroline Heron, Holly Napier, Julia Scott)
Buchan 1 – 2 Spartans
(Buchan – Vanessa Silcocks, OG. Spartans – Katie Reilly)
Pictures by Andy Buist from top to bottom: Jo Love turns away after scoring the opening goal, Jo celebrates with her team mates, Suzanne Malone powers past Celtic's Kelly Clark on route to goal number 2, Suzanne Lappin receives the Player of the Match award. A full picture report can be found on our facebook page Glasgowcity.Fc
21.04.13
