Derby delight for Celts with victory over Glasgow City

SWPL Sunday, August 18, 2024Albert Bartlett Stadium Airdrie CELTIC…1(Craig 52pen) GLASGOW CITY…0 Celtic FC Women continued their winning start to the campaign, securing an important three points with a 1-0 win over Glasgow City which came courtesy of a second-half Chloe Craig penalty. It was a fairly even opening 45 minutes of action as the Ghirls made their return to the Albert Bartlett Stadium in Airdrie for the first time this season. The first chance of the game fell the way of the visitors, who forced Kelsey Daugherty into a decent early save, with the American a match for the one-on-one effort. Throughout the first-half, Murphy Agnew was having a big impact for the Hoops with her tireless work whilst leading the line. The forward was doing brilliantly to press the City backline, forcing the visitors into some early mistakes. The best chance of the first half for Celtic fell the way of the American, who picked the ball up and drove towards the Glasgow City goal. Cutting inside her marker, Agnew looked to get a shot off and was unfortunate not to hit the target, with the ball going just over the crossbar. Both Agnew and Amy Gallacher were linking up well, and it was the Scotland internationalist’s turn to try her luck for the Hoops. The Celtic number seven picked up a pass from her strike partner, before firing a shot from distance, but it was a comfortable take for the City goalkeeper. Towards the end of the half, the away side did have a few chances of their own. but the combination of Caitlin Hayes and Daugherty were doing enough to deny any serious threats. And Elena Sadiku’s side made the perfect start to the second half as Chloe Craig fired Celtic into the lead. Following a clever ball in behind the City defence, midfielder Maria McAneny was racing through on goal before being fouled inside the 18-yard box. Stepping up from the spot, Chloe Craig the Glasgow City goalkeeper the wrong way. Having taken the lead, Celtic were quickly looking to build upon their advantage and Elena Sadiku was able to make a few attacking changes to her side. Introducing both Jenny Smith and Mathilde Carstens, the two subs were aiming to try stretch the City backline as the visitors tried to get back into the game. The visitors did offer a threat, hitting the crossbar and forcing Daugherty into another impressive save from close-range. However, the Ghirls were able to hold on and seal an important three points in the second league match of the campaign, following last weekend’s 9-0 win over Dundee United. The Ghirls are back in action this coming Wednesday as they return to the Albert Bartlett Stadium to face Motherwell.Upcoming FixturesCeltic Women Vs. Motherwell Women – Sun, Aug 8th 2024, 12:00