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Celtic see title hopes hit by City smash and grab

A late goal from Kimberley Smit condemned Celtic to a third defeat in a row, putting a serious dent in their aspirations retaining the title. It took until the 23rd minute for the supporters to witness the evening’s first shot on target but Brenna Lovera made absolutely sure it would be remembered, receiving Aleigh Gambone’s pass before thundering the opener past Kelsey Daugherty. Celtic would answer in style, Emma Lawton’s brilliant long range cross met by the clinical Saoirse Noonan just before the hour mark struck. However City made sure to get the last word as Smit was quickest to the pinball in the penalty area in the 85th minute, coolly slotting home the winner. Lovera’s goal marked the crescendo of an otherwise uneventful first half, with performances from both sides hamstrung by the knowledge of what the other could do when gifted the opportunity. There were however further chances before the break, belonging almost entirely to City, playing as though they were de facto hosts at New Douglas Park. Lisa Evans saw her effort from outside the box sail over Daugherty’s goal whilst Natalia Wrobel’s shot would at least force a reaction from the American shot-stopper, albeit just into her chest. Just as these sides had been inseparable this season, so too it seemed they would be on the night as both dominated a half each, with Celtic showing the hallmarks of last season’s title winning contingent in the second. Lawton was denied a goal to add to her assist by her an impressive goal line clearance as City struggled to gain a foothold following the break. In the end Celtic failed to hold onto to the point, with defeat meaning they could be nine points adrift should Hibernian beat Motherwell. Line-ups: Celtic: Daugherty, Clark (c), Bruna, Barclais, Loferski (M. Carstens 61), Ashworth-Clifford (Cross 89), McGregor, McAneny (Ross 75), Gallacher (Agnew 61), Noonan (Harrison 75) Unused subs: Rodgers, Smith, Cavanagh, Momo Booked: McAneny, Clark, McGregor, Bruna, M. Carstens Goals: Noonan (59) Glasgow City: Gibson, Evans (Warrington 90+1), van Diemen, Smit, Muir, Lauder (c) (Fulton 90+1) , Wrobel (Motlhalo 80), Whelan, Gambone, Lovera Forrest (90+1), Kozlova (Maatta 72) Unused subs: Easdon,, Walsh, Love, Lockwood Booked: Smit Goals: Lovera (23), Smit (86)

March 28, 2025

League scheduling ‘funny’ says Sadiku as Celtic prepare for first home game in seven

Celtic Women boss Elena Sadiku says her players are looking forward to seeing their home fans as the side look to make amends following two defeats on the trot as they face Glasgow City on Friday night. Having last graced New Douglas Park towards the tail-end of January in a 4-0 victory over Hearts, the manager told the press what a return to the ground would mean to the squad. “It’s going to be really nice to see our fans again in terms of how loud they can be and showing the support that the players need,” she said. When asked about the bizarre run of games that has seen Celtic play six consecutive away games, Sadiku was reluctant to be drawn into controversy, although hinted there was frustration. “That’s something you should talk to the league about,” she said before adding “I hadn’t really thought it was six games in row but it’s a funny thing no?” Despite a return to the comforts of home, Celtic face one of the favourites for the title in City. A win apiece and a draw between them has leaves the sides evenly matched, albeit the visitors sit three points ahead in the league. Leanne Ross’ team have a point to prove themselves, defeated by surprise SWPL leaders Hibernian in their last outing. Celtic’s task will be made all the more complicated by the fact that they are set to be without with Luana Muñoz, Emma Westin and Chloe Craig with Clare Goldie a doubt. Defeat this evening would mark their third in a row and see them nine points adrift should Hibs win away to Motherwell at the weekend, increasing the pressure on both the players and Sadiku. “We are Celtic so I understand that people are going to talk,” she said. “I also think the fans should be in this together”, adding “because we have fans who come week in week out, no matter how cold it is, how warm it is, they’re always there for our girls.” “I wish it was different,” remarked Sadiku of fans online “come to our games, get to know the players and I think that’s when I feel it’s fair that people can have a say.” There was good news for the club however as Emma Lawton was called up for a second consecutive Scotland squad as well as a re-call for Saoirse Noonan to the Republic of Ireland side.

March 28, 2025

SWPL’s ‘Top Four’ bears resemblance to the halcyon days of heavyweight boxing

As the SWPL approaches the split, the top four sides have set out their stalls ahead of what could be an era defining season for the game in Scotland. Picture this, it’s the late 2010s and the boxing heavyweight division is stacked with box office bouts between fighters in their prime as Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have the potential to create eye watering match-ups. Imagine that, only they actually get to all fight each other. Not once, but over and over with each being one being knocked down and knocking the other down off their perch with equal impunity and disregard. Well that is exactly what you’ll find in the SWPL as Rangers, Celtic, Glasgow City and Hibs all sit on an incredulous 51 points going into the final game before the split where they will compete in the Golden Gloves stages of competition. It’s time to meet your prize fighters. The Favourites For some, calling a side level on points with three other teams might beggar belief but that is exactly what Rangers were not so long ago. Tucking teams away left, right and centre Jo Potter’s players toyed with their opponents and scored for fun as they the falling at the qualification hurdles of the Champions League against Arsenal and Atletico Madrid looked a distant memory. 110 goals in 21 games (not to mention the 24 against one unfortunate Scottish Cup opponent) forces a second glance and yet that is how dominant they have been. A scorched earth policy has served the Glasgow side nicely as Potter remembers all too well the feeling of losing the title on the final day to Celtic on goal difference but the play itself is far more patient than the numbers would indicate. Potter described the win over Partick Thistle as ‘a controlled performance’. The result being 6-0 only goes to show where the manager’s priorities lie. Clever switches of play from the pinpoint Tessell Middag, the 44 cap Dutch international who can count Ajax, Manchester City, Fiorentina among others on her glistening CV forces sides who would like nothing more than to sit back and be compact to open themselves up. Queue Katie Wilkinson, who recovered from the disappointment of leaving her childhood club Aston Villa to tear up trees in Scotland after arriving in the summer from Southampton. 29 goals in just 21 league games this season, it is fair to say Wilkinson is a shoe-in for top scorer. As double cup winners last season, beating Celtic in November felt like a title unification bout that left them looking like runaway champions. Any team that comes flying out of the traps however, is bound to hit a speed bump. Although no one could have predicated that they would lose not one, but two consecutive games 3-0 as Glasgow City and Hibs gave them an almighty bloody nose. Potter bemoaned the panic, the lack of quality and her players coming off second best in their duels as it looked as though another title would slip through their fingers. To their credit they put the results behind them and have avoided any slip-ups since with another win over their Glasgow rivals. ‘Nothing sweeter’ as Rio Hardy put it. Setting them on their way to defend their belt against Hibs in the League Cup final in March. A squad that has managed to blend the experience of players like Lizzie Arnot from the bench or 147 cap Jane Ross has been invaluable in integrating the academy’s fledglings with Jodi McLeary and Kirsty McLean making their mark in the senior side or even Lily Boyce making her debut against Westdyke having been at the club since she was eight. As in all great sides, there seems to be an addiction to winning trophies. Laura Rafferty describing how her ‘eyes light up’ for silverware is one not lost on Potter who has an FA Cup winner’s medal to proudly display in her home. The question is, can her players deliver a first league medal to add to the collection. The Poster Ghirls It beggars belief but just a few months ago the title holders were considered an outside bet by some. Misguided as it was, the explanation stems from their participation in the Champion’s League group stages representing Scotland on the European stage. An achievement that cannot be overstated in terms of the impact it could have on the domestic game but also led to them having games to claw back a nine point lead at the of table. The effects of the truncated calendar still being felt by players. Maria McAneney feeling that the ‘schedule’s been all over the place recently’ after the weekend’s 2-2 draw ‘I don’t think I’ve had that in my professional career’ the midfielder had said after that goal. In part also because an out of sorts Celtic were dealt one blow after another in a bruising October which saw them win them win just one game from five in all competitions. Victory coming in the form of a 1-0 squeeze past 9th place Spartans. Tired legs and minds trudged forward, fighting on four competitive fronts and wisened from their European campaign despite not picking up a single point. However when the suggestion was put to her that the side might be ‘leggy’, Sadiku, was unequivocal in her view that fatigue should not explain the off-colour form her side has endured. Instead the side reset (in part thanks to a week in sunny Gran Canaria), added some depth to the squad with Emma Westin and Momo Nakao arriving with Abi Harrison returning for a second spell and scoring a hat-trick in her first start; powering the side to an undefeated run stretching back to November. Caitlin Hayes’ departure to Brighton was a blow but it is perhaps testament to the side’s ability to turn players into WSL calibre. Besides, the side were confident they could to do job without her. ‘Relentless and ruthlessness’, that

February 19, 2025

Title chasers Glasgow City and Celtic share the spoils at Petershill Park

In a night of freezing cold, snow and thundering efforts, there would be no indication of a favourite for the SWPL title as the sides remained level on the night and consequently, neck and neck at the top of the table. With less than a minute played, Celtic stunned the home supporters with the opener. Kimberley Smit’s attempt to clear the ball by the byline not connecting, instead landing at the feet of Amy Gallacher who rifled a shot past Lee Gibson. It took until the 24th minute but City hauled themselves level after Celtic attempted to clear a curling corner from Hayley Lauder only to see it met by Amy Muir whose low driven shot took a slight deflection off Shannon McGregor to leave the keeper with no chance. Just six minutes later the home side were in the ascendancy. A loose touch from Lucy Ashworth-Clifford allowed Emily Whelan to pick her pocket and lay the ball to Nicola Kozlova who curled a fabulous into the back of the net. Not a team to leave the last word to someone else, Celtic responded in sumptuous fashion as Maria McAneny turned and launched a worldie from distance over a helpless Gibson Both sides had their fair share of chances throughout. Kozlova came close to grabbing her first but the effort sailed fractionally over the bar. Celtic’s Saoirse Noonan struggled produce the form that has made her the side’s leading scorer. A glancing header early on failing to trouble the City keeper. With a free-kick in a good position outside the box, the Irish forward fired low and wide as the hosts breathed a sigh of relief. Noonan would come again, this time by Gibson one on one. The City keeper kept on her toes tonight, produced a stunning point blank save to deny Luana Munoz mere seconds after the substitute’s introduction. Title chasers don’t blink Regardless of what the managers said, this game was always going to have a psychological impact come the tail-end of the season. With the sides inseparable in the final weeks before the split, both teams will have a come into this looking to assert dominance over the other before meeting again. A month ago, it seemed Celtic had their rivals’ number having beaten them in their first league encounter before dumping them out of the League Cup. However with their victory at this very ground in the Scottish Cup, City showed they are well and truly up for a title fight that looks set to feature four sides. Tonight both managers walk away somehow frustrated and fortunate to share a point but they will meet again. The question is, who will land the final blow. Line-ups: Glasgow City: Gibson, Warrington, Van Diemen, Smit, Muir, Lauder (Fulton 90), Gambone, Wrobel (Lockwood 70), Whelan (Evans 80), Kozlova, Lovera Unused subs: Easton, Walsh, Love, Anderson, Maatta, Forrest Booked: Lovera (53) Goals: Muir (24), Whelan (30), Celtic: Daugherty, Barclays, Clark, Lawton, Ross, Gallacher (Agnew 68), McGregor, Cross (Munoz 56), Ashworth-Clifford (Costa 68), McAneny (Cavanagh 84), Noonan (Harrison 84) Unused subs: Logan, Carstens, Westin, Loferski Booked: Goals: Gallagher (1), McAneny (54) Referee: Ross Menzies Attendance: 983

February 14, 2025

Eight goal Celtic cruise to win over Dundee United at Tannadice

An Abi Harrison triple put Celtic on course for a comfortable outing against Dundee United at Tannadice Park as the visitors came away 8-0 winners. It would only take Maria McAneny two minutes to open the scoring for Celtic, Murphy Agnew cutting through United’s defence to tee up the forward. Four minutes later the lead was doubled by Jennifer Smith, although in truth it could have been any number of Celtic’s frontline who found themselves unmarked as Morgan Cross played a low ball across the face of goal as the home side prepared for a long night ahead. In acres of space down the far side, Cross sent a cutting pass to supply Harrison with her first goal since returning to the club in January. With just a few minutes until the break United seemed to be holding on but Harrison doubled her lead with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box to make it four. Struggling to trouble Rennie in the opening stages of the second-half, Celtic were handed an opportunity on a silver platter when Megan Burns saw the ball caught under feet allowing Harrison and punish the moment of misfortune. Smith added her second of the night with a cracking shot from outside the area to make it six for the visitors as a lack of depth began to bite United, injury with no replacements left leaving them with ten for the closing stages. Knowing that Rangers remained some distance ahead on goal difference, Celtic continue to turn the screw and rewarded when Katherine Loferski fired a ball that had bounced around the United box following a corner. In an otherwise impressive outing, Rennie was guilty of conceding a penalty which McAneny duly converted to make it a brace. An already lopsided score would have been far greater in the first-half were it not for the efforts of keeper Beth Rennie, whose sliding challenge denied Harrison before keeping Shannon McGregor out one on one. United’s chances were few and far between, limited to a shot from kick-off from Freya Brien, who attempted to recreate her wonder goal against Motherwell almost a month ago but to no avail as the shot travelled timely wide. Pushing for a sixth, Rennie was once again at hand to deny Smith from point blank range before keeping Kelly Clark’s header out from the subsequent corner. Victory means Celtic gain a three point lead over second place Glasgow City whom they in their next game, albeit having played a game than their title rivals. Line-Ups: Dundee United: Rennie, Frew, Hutchinson, Burns, Taylor, Brien, Moodie, Martindale, Marnie (K. MacFarlane 75), Robertson, Dickov Unused subs: Mowatt, Creamer, Logan, Knight, H. McFarlane Booked: Rennie (87), Taylor (90+3) Celtic: Daugherty, Bruna, Clark (c), Barclais (Munoz 46), Cross (Loferski 73), Smith, Ross (Cavanagh 72), McGregor (Carstens 60), McAneny, Agnew (Nakao 60), Harrison Unused subs: Logan, Noonan, Lawton Booked: Goals: McAneny (2, 87), Smith (6, 73), Harrison (19, 41, 58), Lofereski (85) Referee: Nathan Clac-Mansfield

February 7, 2025

Revenge a dish best served in the Scottish Cup as Glasgow City eliminate Celtic

Having twice gone behind, a Samantha Van Diemen header and Brenna Lovera double edged Glasgow City past Celtic 3-2 winners in the Scottish Cup 5th Round. It marked their first victory over Celtic in three attempts this season after a league and League Cup defeat. After a cagey start to the game with both sides keenly aware of each others’ quality, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford took matters into her own hands, firing an audacious shot from just a few metres inside the City half and over a backtracking Lee Gibson to give Celtic the lead after nineteen minutes. City however responded seven minutes later after Emma Lawton was adjudged to have brought Emma Whelan down in the box with Brenna Lovera making no mistake from the spot. Pushing for a second, the home side thought they had taken the lead minutes later after Kimberley Smit blasted home a Hayley Lauder free-kick into the box but having made their way back to the centre circle to kick-off, referee Nathan Deane annulled to the goal after speaking to his assistant. Wasting no time to make the most of their good fortune, Celtic put themselves back in front through a poacher’s finish from the free scoring Saoirse Noonan, who slotted home Morgan Cross’ low ball. Coming out with an immediate reaction, Samantha Van Diemen’s header levelled the score just three minutes into the second half. Turning the screw to maximum effect, Whelan found Lovera who used some nifty footwork to create space to fire her second of the game and sixth in her last four games. Going into the break, City were from an even greater deficit to overcome by Lee Gibson, who denied Noonan and Maria McAneny from point blank range. Noonan was guilty of failing to test the keeper after Ashworth-Clifford’s low cross bobbled around the box before the striker fired it wide. Fortunate not to concede a fourth, Elena Sadie has McAneny to thank for making a brilliant goal line clearance from a Glasgow City corner. Substitute Mathilde Castens had an effort late on but her effort lack the accuracy to trouble Gibson, who watched the ball fly past her post. With seconds to go Ashworth-Clifford sent a good opportunity clear over the bar as City held on for the all important win. What the managers said: Glasgow City boss Leanne Ross: “Like everybody else we were surprised when the goal got chalked off in the first half. “We made a slight tactical change at half-time, we’ve come back and had more control in terms of possession in the second half. “[On getting one back on Celtic] It’s not about getting on back on anybody. It’s not about us against Celtic, it’s about us in terms of what we want to go and achieve. We wanted to get ourselves into the next of the cup today and we’ve and done that with a good performance.” Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: “To be honest I can’t believe that we lost that game. “I think we were the far better team in the first half, we should kill that game and then we have a really poor start in the second half. “They don’t create anything else. I mean fair play they won the game but it’s not good enough from us. Line-ups: Glasgow City: Gibson, Evans (Warrington 46), Van Diemen, Smit, Muir, Gambone, Lauder (Anderson 90), Whelan, Wrobel (Lockwood 63), Evans (Kozlova 46), Lovera (Maatta 90) Unused subs: Easton, Love, Forrest Booked: Walsh (13), Wrobel (49), Carstens (92) Goals: Lovera (26 pen), (54), Van Diemen (48) Celtic: Daugherty, Lawton, Clark, Barclays, Ross (Cavanagh 63), McGregor, McAneny, Ashworth-Clifford, Agnew (Lofereski 74), Cross (Carstens 74), Noonan (Harrison 63) Unused subs: Logan, Smith, Lourenco Urbano Costa, Munoz Booked: Agnew (63), Gibson (70) Goals: Ashworth-Clifford (19), Noonan (32) Referee: Regan Wallace

February 2, 2025

Hibs cut Glasgow City’s lead at the top and more in SWPL 1 Round-Up

All the action from the weekend’s SWPL 1 football … League leaders Glasgow City were stunned as they found themselves two goals down to Hibernian after just six minutes before ultimately losing 3-1 at Meadowbank. Manager Leanne Ross will no doubt be frustrated to concede two early headers from Kathleen McGovern and Eilidh Adams. A thundered finish from Brenna Lovera brought the visitors back into the game but McGovern struck again in added time before the half to secure all three points for Hibs. The result means they are now just two points ahead of Rangers in second. Rangers meanwhile were made to work for their eventual 3-0 win over a Spartan side playing with ten for over half the game. Defender Kate Fraser was sent off five minutes before half-time as resolute defending saw seventh placed Spartans go into the break tied. However Rangers eventually made the numerical advantage count with Katie Wilkinson grabbing a brace in seven minutes before Jane Ross rounded off the scoring for the afternoon. Defeat means Spartans now find themselves seven points behind Partick Thistle, who have a game in hand away to Aberdeen next week. Making light work of their title rivals, Celtic put Hearts to the sword in a 4-0 victory at New Douglas Park. A Shannon McGregor header put Elena Sadiku’s side ahead early on before Saoirse Noonan scored a headed goal of her to double the lead. Having provided the assist for the opener, Morgan Cross made sure Celtic went into the break with a three goal lead. Crushing any hopes of a comeback, Natalie Ross added her side’s fourth after catching Lisa Robertson doddling in possession. Victory away to Queen’s Park on Wednesday would see Celtic go level on points with league leaders Glasgow City as Hearts fell six points off the top. Motherwell kept Thistle at bay with a resounding win of their own, putting four past relegation threatened Montrose. Racing into an early lead courtesy of Louisa Boyes’ effort, the visitors were made to wait almost half an hour for their second but it eventually came through Katie Rice. Laura Berry made it three minutes after the second-half began as victory looked inevitable for Paul Brownlie’s side. However they suffered a minor bump as Chelsie Watson received a straight red before Montrose’s Jade McClaren was given marching orders after a second yellow. In the dying moments of added time Laura McCartney added Motherwell’s fourth as they maintained their five point lead over the Jags. In their bid to break into the top six, Partick Thistle put in a strong display to beat bottom side Dundee United 4-1 with their first win since October. Breaking the deadlock after ten minutes, Rachel Donaldson before Megan Burns turned a Caley Gibb cross into her own net to double the home side’s lead. With an assist to her name already, Imogen Longcake added a goal to the tally to extend Thistle’s lead in the second half. Having been denied one on one by a fine Beth Renee save, Tiree Burchill made no mistake the second time round to slot a cool finish home. Amy Taylor caught the Thistle defence to score her first goal of the season in the final minutes but it proved little more than a consolation. Dundee United remain rooted at the foot of the table, three points behind fellow strugglers Queen’s Park. Queen’s Park were also easily beaten at the weekend as a 3-0 defeat to Aberdeen ensured to trip home would feel all the longer. Made to wait for their first, Kerry Beattie scored near the end of the first half before Hannah Stewart doubled the home side’s lead not long into the second. In a game that saw them take 24 shots, Aberdeen were deserving of their third and final goal courtesy of Eva Thomson. Victory means they are now level with Spartans in eighth, albeit with two games in hand and extend their lead over Queen’s Park to seven points.

January 27, 2025

Dominant Thistle put four past Dundee United for first win since October

Partick Thistle proved too strong for bottom side Dundee United, cruising to their first victory since October thanks to goals from four different players. Rachel Donaldson opened the scoring with a well timed volley to put away Imogen Longcake’s cross on the ten minute mark. Having held out for almost half an hour, Suzy Shepherd will no doubt be disappointed to have seen her side concede just before the break with Megan Burns guilty of putting Caley Gibb’s driven ball across the face of goal into her own net. Keeper Beth Rennie was at fault as her goal kick lacked distance, landing at the feet of Longcake who drove forward before tucking away a tidy finish past the keeper. Putting the game to bed with Thistle’s fourth was Tiree Burchill who raced onto Carla Boyce’s through ball and made no mistake to slot the ball home. With minutes to go, Dundee United pulled a goal back to deny Jenna Currie a clean sheet after Amy Taylor ghosted into the box to meet Alix Moodie’s cross. In truth the margin could have been far greater had it not been for some excellent saves from Rennie and the crossbar. Searching desperately for a goal to add to her assist Longcake was unfortunate as her thundered effort rattled the crossbar minutes into the second half. Thistle were often guilty of making life too easy for Rennie, Georgia Gray unable to cap off an impressive outing, fired an effort straight into the keeper’s arms. However the United keeper was on hand to deny Burchill one on one with a terrific save before smothering the rebound from Longcake. Just a few minutes later Gibb had what looked like a certain goal by Rennie’s stop from point blank range. Thistle were able to see out the victory from there and the result means they remain five points behind Motherwell in sixth, albeit with a game in hand. Dundee United meanwhile, remain rooted at the foot of the table having won just one game this season. Line-ups: Thistle: Currie, Gibb, McCulloch, Falconer (c), Gray, Bulloch (Craig 74), Donaldson (King 66), Sinclair (English 66), Burchill (Hay 82), Longcake (Robinson 82), Boyce Unused subs: Fears (gk), Cowan, Docherty, Slater Booked: Goals: Donaldson (10), Burns (41 o.g.), Longcake (49), Burchill (70) Dundee United: Rennie, Taylor, Burns, Hutchinson, Frew (c), Robertson, Martindale, Moodie, Logan (K. McFarlane 79), Brien, Steedman (H. McFarlane 91) Unused subs: Mowatt (c), Creamer, L. Steedman Booked: Frew, Martindale, Brien Goals: Referee: Kieran O’Reilly

January 26, 2025

Rangers put fourteen past Queen’s Park in free scoring weekend and more in SWPL 1 Round-up

All the action from the weekend’s SWPL 1 football … New Queen’s Park manager Iain Robinson could do little as his side endured a 14-0 slaughter at the hands of second place Rangers. Goals from Lizzie Arnot, Mia McAuley, Oliva McLoughlin and Rio Hardy made sure the game was won by half time but Jo Potter’s side did not take their foot off the gas. In fact, they pushed just about as far as it could go with McAulay and McLoughlin each adding another goal before pressure forced Ciara Bonner to turn the ball into her own net. Three goals in four minutes from Brogan Hay before a Katie Wilkinson double made it ten but the visitors did not stop there. Camille Lafaix was the third player to get a double with a Dionne Brown own goal in between. Adding insult in injury time was Jane Ross to complete the rout for the side that has racked up an astonishing 91 goals in 18 league games but still trail leaders Glasgow City by five points. Strugglers Queen’s Park meanwhile sit just three points off the bottom. Competition leaders Glasgow City made light work of a visiting Aberdeen side, coming out of Petershill Park comfortable 6-1 winners. In a frenetic opening fifteen minutes, Nicole Kozlova’s double was swiftly followed by goals from Brenna Lovera and Natalia Wrobel to make it four. Aberdeen held out for over half an hour but substitute Lisa Forrest added her name to the scoresheet for Lovera made it a brace. It was little more than a consolation but Aberdeen’s Nicola Jameison got the last word to deny to the home side a clean sheet with the game’s final goal. Defeat leaves the Dons in 10th, four points off of Queen’s Park albeit with two games in hand on the Glasgow side. Celtic meanwhile overcame a resilient Partick Thistle with a 4-2 win to keep their hopes of a title challenge alive. What looked set to be a relatively comfortable afternoon following Saoirse Noonan’s early opener proved to be very much the opposite as Carla Boyce continued her goalscoring form to level the game just before the hour mark. However the visitors’ resistance was well and truly broken by a three goal flurry that saw Noonan, Kelly Clark and Maria McAneny put the tie to bed. Captain Demi Falconer brought the score back to two with a bullet header but it proved too late as the Elena Sadiku’s side took all three points at Neww Douglas Park. Having played two games fewer than Glasgow City, they will hope to cut the nine point gap down with games against Aberdeen and Hearts approaching. Thistle now find themselves five points off the top six, with Motherwell having played a game more. Continuing their impressive season, Hibernian were 6-0 winners against Spartans at Meadowbank. Eilidh Adams’ opener just four minutes in set the tone for a difficult afternoon for the visitors. Midfielder Michaela McAlonie added her name to a quickly growing list and was soon followed by two former Rangers players in Chiara Grant and Kirsten Reilly before Adams rounded off the scoring before the break. There would only be one goal in the second half with Kirsty Morrison adding the gloss to an excellent performance from the Edinburgh side who could find themselves level on points with Rangers should they win away to Dundee United on Wednesday. Spartans’ hopes of making the top half look slightly more complicated after defeat as face a nine point deficit. A Laura Berry hat-trick ensured Motherwell strengthened their ambitions of a top half finish, downing bottom side Dundee United in a straightforward 6-1 win away at Foundation Park. Following two Berry goals including a well taken penalty, Chelsie Watson added two of her own before Freya Brien responded brilliantly for the home side with a goal from kick-off. Ultimately the resistance proved futile as Berry added her third before Sophie Black made it six. It has been a difficult season for United who sit bottom with just four points, having conceded 93 goals.

January 13, 2025

Late flurry sees Celtic run out winners over dogged Thistle

A Saoirse Noonan double saw Celtic through what proved to be a challenging test, despite the scoreline. Victory tonight means they are nine points off the top with two games in hand on leaders Glasgow City. Thistle made themselves narrow and compact but it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, Noonan finishing a cut-back to give the home side the lead just seven minutes in. Carla Boyce responded in stunning fashion with a long range effort from 25 yards over the head of keeper Chloe Logan after Caitlin Hayes’ was dispossessed outside the box. On hand for her second of the night, Noonan restored the lead after turning Demi Falconer. Turning on the style, Kelly Clark and Maria McAneny put the game to bed with two goals in just three minutes. Captain Falconer responded in the closing stages with a stunning header that ultimately proved little more than a consolation. Celtic were dominant for large parts of the game. Pressing to double their lead in the first half, former Thistle Emma Lawton fired a header from an in-swinging free kick but could only direct it into the hands of a grateful Jeni Currie. Struggling to get themselves in the final third, Thistle went long Rachel Donaldson long range effort into the arms of Logan, familiar to striker having played for the visitors against Hibernian in November as part of an emergency loan. After recovering the ball with tenacity, Mathilde Carstens attempted another cut back, this time met by a bullet header from Amy Gallacher which saw Currie produce a strong save and recovery to step the ball rolling over for a second. Growing increasingly frustrated Celtic looked to test the keeper from distance, Shannon McGregor’s long range effort unable to make Currie work. Noonan came agonisingly close to second but flying Thistle bodies saw the ball out for a corner which Currie punched clear. Called upon once again before the break Currie made a strong save by her near post to deny Gallacher. Celtic began the second half with intent, working the ball into the box with Noonan twice hitting the woodwork after the break. First, firing an effort into the post before rattling the crossbar with her second later on. Lawton came close with some nifty footwork followed by a shot blocked for a corner which Hayes could not direct on target with her header. Looking to put the game out of reach, Celtic continued to pepper the goal with Natalie Ross and Noonan both forcing excellent saves from Currie. Relentless pressing and touch of class up front Celya Barclais had her pocket picked by Imogen Longcake but the midfielder found herself swamped within seconds of gaining the ball. Celtic’s relentless counter-pressing saw the right back earn it back almost immediately. Logan was guilty of fielding a sloppy pass and Longcake was on hand to attempt to deliver an equaliser but was once again smothered by the defence which refused to let Thistle breathe, forcing searching balls and resulting in a pass accuracy rate of 45%. Despite allowing the visitor’s to draw level, the squad’s class proved too much. Noonan’s seventh goal in three league games were crucial in beating an inspired Jeni Currie on the night to take her tally for the season to 22. Promising signs despite winless run Five at the back and one lone striker usually means one thing, your primary concern is closing up shop for the evening. Little wonder that was the plan given both the gulf between the sides or the fact that Thistle’s last game took place almost a month prior. Neither of those things meant much to Carla Boyce, whose fine goalscoring form continues after bagging her fourth in three games. Ultimately it wasn’t enough as the side’s wait for a league win stretches back to their 2-0 victory over Queen’s Park in October. However, having drawn with professional side Hibernian and running Celtic right until the end, there is evidence to suggest it’s just a matter of time before they take three points home. What the managers said Celtic boss Elena Sadiku: “We played on Wednesday in Gran Canaria, we had a great performance. Obviously it’s different when you play in the league when you have that pressure on and I think that’s something that can affect the players but overall I think that was pretty good. “It’s going to be a bit rusty but I do think that the players tried and I think that’s good but sometimes I want them to be more ruthless like ‘give me the ball’. “[Saoirse Noonan] She’s amazing when it comes to being in the box, she’s a great finisher. She’s going to be important. “I said to the girls when the score is 1-1 that’s when we push forward ‘okay we need to switch on’. I think that mentality needs to start earlier.” Partick Thistle boss Brian Graham: “There’s moments in the game if our quality’s slightly better, we go on and hurt Celtic. “We let them off the hook and then Celtic go in and punish you. That’s why they were in the Champions League, that’s why they were champions of the league. “We need everything on the day for the result to go our way to get a result against these top sides, that’s just the nature of the beast.” Line-ups: Celtic (4-2-3-1): C. Logan, C. Barclais, C. Hayes, Bruna Lourenco (K. Clark 46’), E. Lawton, A. Gallagher (M. McAneny 74′), S. McGregor (C. Cavanagh 64’), N. Ross (c), M. Carstens (L. Ashworth-Clifford 84′), M. Cross (J. Smith 64’), S. Noonan Substitutes: L. Ashworth-Clifford, C. Cavanagh, K. Clark, L. Rodgers, M. McAneny, L. Munoz, A. Richardson, J. Smith Partick Thistle (5-4-1): J. Currie, S. Cowan, D. Falconer (c), C. McCulloch (K. Hay 81′), C. Docherty (R. Slater 62’), C. Gibb, R. Donaldson (H. Robinson 74′), A. Bulloch, L. Sinclair, I. Longcake (E. Craig 81′), C. Boyce (T. Burchill 61’) Substitutes: T. Burchill, E. Craig,

January 12, 2025

SWPL

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