City defeat Celtic to reach final
Glasgow City took one step closer to defending their Premier League Cup, when they defeated Celtic 4-2 to reach the final
City got off to a strong start opening the scoring within the first ten minutes. Jane Ross, broke through down the right hand side and cut in to fire a well placed left foot effort into the bottom corner.
The home side then doubled their advantage a few moments later when Suzanne Malone dispossessed centre half Karen Penglase and fired past Scotland Number 1 Gemma Faye to put City in the driving seat.
City went close to making it 3-0 when Sue Lappin headed just over from a well worked set-piece. Centre half Rachel Corsie was also denied after her goal bound header was saved by Faye at the back post following a City corner.
The home side were then punished when some poor defending let in Suzanne Grant to score from a yard out at the back post.
City however, regained their two goal advantage when Lappin scored with a looping header over Faye from another City set piece.
Just on the stroke of half time, City switched off defensively once more and provided Celtic with a life line when Grant scored again to haul her side back in the game.
Half time 3-2.
Ten minutes into the second half City made it 4-2 and Celtic keeper Faye was sent off. A great run once more from Suzanne Malone, saw the City striker take the ball past the outrushing Faye who took Malone clean out for a City penalty and an immediate red card for the national keeper.
Midfielder Leanne Ross stepped up and coolly slotted home past substitute keeper Khym Ramsey.
Although beaten on that occasion Ramsey pulled off a fine save from Emma Fernon to keep her side in the game.
A great dribbling run by Katharina Linder saw the City striker beat 3 Celtic players, before setting up full back Fernon who looked to have hit a goal bound effort, which was well saved by Ramsey.
Full time 4-2.
Although delighted to be in the final boss Peter Caulfield was very disappointed with his team’s performance. He said, “We were a poor side today. Nothing like the team we normally are. We should have passed the ball much better and certainly defended a lot smarter on occasions. It is great to the final, but this team is capable of so much more and they certainly cannot be proud of themselves today.”
City will face Hibernian in the final on Saturday 7th November. Venue tbc.
04.10.09
