City hit Celtic for five
Glasgow City stormed to victory with an impressive 5-0 defeat of Celtic at Lennoxtown.
Hot on the back of last week's 8-0 demolition of Hibernian, Glasgow City showed their intent from the start and recorded the first effort on goal when Christie Murray hit an effort just over the bar from inside the box. Just after five minutes Leanne Ross headed wide from a Rachel Corsie cross.
The home side had their first venture forward on 11 minutes when Chloe Craig had a shot from distance. It was to prove a rare attack for the home side as soon after it was back to City creating the chances and enjoying the majority of the possession..
Jane Ross had her first real chance of the match on the 20 minute mark when she raced through on goal, but her left foot effort was well saved by Celtic and Scotland number 1 Gemma Fay. However, 2 minutes later, Ross dribbled past Lauren MacMillan in the Celtic box and was brought down by the Celtic full back for a penalty to the away side. Up stepped Leanne Ross to score from the spot to put her side ahead.
Not long after and City were 2-0 up. A great slide rule pass from Eilish McSorley released Emma Fernon and the full back saw her shot well saved by Fay on to the bar and Jo Love was on hand to fire home the rebound to give City a deserved two goal cushion.
As the half wore on, Celtic slowly managed to come more into the match and Megan Sneddon fired over the bar from a home side corner.
Half time 0-2
In the second half, City stepped up a gear as they moved to a level Celtic simply struggled to match as they controlled the game completely with some outstanding passing and movement.
In the opening moments of the restart, Jane Ross broke free and fired a left foot shot over the bar. Some great team play released Leanne Ross and her strike was brilliantly saved by Fay as she pushed it out for a corner. From the resultant set piece Jane Ross had a shot at goal, saved again by Fay, with Rachel Corsie firing home the loose ball in the box, making it 3-0 to City.
Christie Murray then had a fantastic lob from distance just scrape over the bar, with Fay well beaten. Love also had an effort go inches close and Jane Ross had another shot saved by Fay.
Just past the half hour mark and Jane Ross missed a glorious opportunity to put her side 4-0 ahead. Some great play by the visitors, resulted in Emma Mitchell tearing down the left wing and crossing for Ross in the box. Under pressure the Scotland and City striker blazed over the bar from only a couple of yards out.
Ross quickly made amends as it was her pass which set up Love to strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to give City a four goal advantage.
Five minutes later and it was 5-0 to the visitors with Ross and Love combining again. Heading to the touchline , Ross cut the ball back and Love fired home for her first ever hat-trick for City.
Clare Gemmell almost got in on the act with a strike from distance, but Fay, who was having an excellent game, held on well.
Commenting on the match, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “I thought in the first half we didn’t play as well as we can do, but in the second half, once we stuck to our game plan, we improved massively and anyone could see how difficult we made it for Celtic. We are delighted with another three points.”
Pictured - City hat-trick hero, Jo Love.
05.06.11
