
Celtic Women win the Battle of the Greens
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
By: Gillian Campbell on 13 Jun, 2011
AN impressive performance saw Celtic triumph over a strong Hibernian side, with the Hoops winning all three points with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Chloe Craig and a Sue Lappin penalty were enough to give Celtic the vital win.
The Hoops started the match brightly and soon recorded their first chance when new signing Ruesha Littlejohn managed to get a strike on target, but Hibernian keeper Shannon Lynn saved comfortably.
Soon after, Suzanne Grant managed to get herself in the way of the keeper’s clearance and watched the ball dip just over the bar. However, the opening goal soon arrived when McWhinnie brought down Susan Fairlie on the edge of the box and defender Chloe Craig fired home the resulting free kick with power and accuracy.
The visitors were almost two ahead when Susan Fairlie’s pace beat the Hibs defence and left her with the keeper to beat, but her shot went narrowly wide.
Against the run of play, Hibs were able to get themselves back into the game when a mistimed defensive clearance allowed striker Kennedy an easy finish to equalise.
Craig was fired an another free-kick from a similar range to the one which provided the goal, but this time the keeper was able to make a save at the near post. Then, after a clever lay-off from Littlejohn, Sue Lappin curled a shot just wide of the top corner.
Just before half time, Fairlie was once again brought down when through on goal, this time by the out-rushing Hibs keeper who was shown a red card for her challenge. Lappin stepped up to covert the resulting penalty and give the Hoops a 2-1 lead.
After a good start to the second half by Celtic, Hibs came more into the game without really troubling Gemma Fay in the Celtic goal. Midway through the half, replacement Hibs keeper Murray denied Nicky Grant her first competitive goal for the Hoops, while Celtic also squandered a number of chances to extend their lead.
Speaking after the game, manager Robert Docherty said: “It was good to get back to winning ways. We controlled the game from start to finish, and should have scored a few more, but were a little careless at times.
“However, overall, we’re content with the performance, while recognising that we can do a lot better. Chloe Craig’s excellent free-kick was not unexpected since she had been striking the ball really well in training.
“We now look forward to entertaining Aberdeen next weekend in the second round of the Unite Scottish Cup.”
Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Albyn Park, Broxburn
Hibernian 1
Celtic 2
(Craig, Lappin, pen)
Celtic: Fay, Craig, Penglase, McDonald, MacMillan, N.Grant, Sneddon, Fairlie, Lappin, S.Grant (Brown 75), Littlejohn.
Sub not used: Cunningham
Last edited: