SWPL Thursday, October 3, 2024Broadwood Stadium RANGERS…2 (Howat 4, Wilkinson 63) CELTIC…2 (Noonan 69, Barclais 86) Celtic FC Women produced an impressive second-half comeback to secure a point in the first Glasgow derby of the campaign on Thursday evening. After falling two goals behind an hour into the game, a late fightback in the final half hour sealed the draw at Broadwood Stadium. Coming fresh off the back of booking their place in the quarter-final of the Sky Sports Cup, the Ghirls were quickly back in action. And Elena Sadiku and her squad’s busy schedule continued with the opening derby of the season as they made the short trip over to Cumbernauld. Aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, it wasn’t the ideal start to proceedings as the home side opened the scoring just four minutes into the game. Failing to clear an initial delivery into the box, the ball was smashed home on the half-volley by Kirsty Howat, with the powerful strike giving Kelsey Daugherty no chance. The Celts quickly looked to bounce back with a response as Amy Gallacher had a first effort of the night, but she couldn’t quite hit the target. Just moments later, the home side thought they had doubled their advantage, scoring from a set piece. However, Rio Hardy was judged to be in an offside position, impeding Daugherty between the sticks. As the half grew on, the Ghirls continued to grow into the game with Morgan Cross being the brightest spark on her first league start. Utilising her pace, and putting the Rangers defence under pressure, the forward almost latched on to a mistake at the back, but just couldn’t loop the ball over the goalkeeper. Cross then came close to becoming provider heading for the byline before delivering a dangerous looking cross, which Lucy Ashworth-Clifford just couldn’t get on the end of. Heading into the break there was work to be done, and that task became harder on the hour mark as the home side were handed the chance to double their advantage. After Emma Lawton was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, Katie Wilkinson stepped up to place the ball home. Finding themselves two goals down with just over 25 minutes remaining, the Ghirls had work to do and Sadiku turned to her bench for impact. That impact was almost instant as Saoirse Noonan scored after coming off the bench, tucking home a penalty of our own after Lawton was fouled inside the area. The goal lit a spark in the Celtic side who were quickly pushing for another as they looked to level up the scoring. And it came the way of another substitute as Celya Barclais scored a late equaliser to make the score 2-2. Ghosting into the penalty area, the French full-back produced a finish a striker would be proud of, finding the bottom corner from close range. In the dying seconds of the game, the Celts came close to an incredible turnaround with Noonan having a chance outside the area. However, she couldn’t quite hit the target in what was a difficult opportunity on her weaker left foot. Although they couldn’t go on and get the win, it was an impressive fightback from Sadiku and her squad to seal a point in the opening Glasgow derby of the campaign. The big games keep coming for the Ghirls as they kick-off their UWCL group stage campaign this coming Tuesday, taking on FC Twente at New Douglas Park. CELTIC: Daugherty, Hayes, Clark, Bruna, Lawton, Ashworth-Clifford (Barclais 82), Ross (M Carstens 82), McGregor, Gallacher (Cavanagh 46), Cross, Agnew (Noonan 67). Subs: Rodgers, Richardson, S Carstens, Luana, McAnenyFixturesRangers Women Vs. Celtic Women – Thu, Oct 3rd 2024, 18:00
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