SWPL Sunday, March 16, 2025The Oriam HEARTS…3 (Brownlie 9, Timms 56, 64) CELTIC…1 (Noonan 62) Celtic FC Women suffered defeat in their opening match of the post-split, losing out 3-1 against Hearts on Sunday afternoon. After falling two goals behind, an acrobatic effort from Saoirse Noonan gave the Hoops some hope of a way back into the match. However, the home side quickly regained their two-goal lead, leading to defeat in the capital for Elena Sadiku’s side. Making the trip to Edinburgh for the second fixture in a row, Elena Sadiku’s side faced off against Hearts in their opening post-split fixture at the Oriam. Playing out the first of their final ten league games of the campaign, the Celtic boss made several changes to the side which faced the Jambos. That included a first start for January signing Momo Nakao, who took her place in midfield. The Hoops came out the blocks and came close to opening the scoring as an early Lucy Ashworth-Clifford cross struck the inside of the post, but there was no one there to react in green and white. However, despite going close early on, it was the home side who ultimately took the lead in the opening stages of the match. Scoring from a set piece nine minutes into the game, Hearts captain Emma Brownlie headed her side in front from close range. That goal seemed to spark the home side into life, with the Jambos enjoying their spells of possession along with the Hoops. With both teams searching that all-important second goal, Celtic did have chances to level things up in the first half. The best chance falling the way of Saoirse Noonan who was unfortunate not the find the net, with her shot on the spin, which was brilliantly tipped round the post. The home side did have chances of their own, with Kelsey Daugherty being forced into a few comfortable saves. As it headed towards the end of the half, Noonan came close once more from close range and was just inches away from getting on the end of a Murphy Agnew cross. But she just couldn’t reach the ball in time. Heading into the second half a goal behind, the Celts started well as they aimed to bounce back. Amy Gallacher had a shot from the edge just moments into the half but couldn’t strike the target with her effort. But, similarly to the first half, that good start soon went the way of Hearts, who found a second on 56 minutes through Georgia Timms. The Hoops did look to have found a way back into the match just beyond the hour mark as Saoirse Noonan pulled one goal back. After a loose ball fell to the Irish forward inside the area, she made no mistake, finding the back of the net with a superb acrobatic effort. But, just as the Celts thought they had got themselves back into proceedings, the home side quickly regained their two-goal lead, with Timms once again finding the back of the net with a powerful finish. Despite the five substitutes looking to make an impact in the game for Elena Sadiku’s side, with Shannon McGregor striking the crossbar late on, it was a frustrating afternoon for the Ghirls who suffered defeat in Edinburgh. After losing out in their first post-split fixture, the Hoops will have some time between now and their next league outing, with a trip against Glasgow City to come in just under two weeks time. CELTIC: Daugherty, Lawton, Clark, Barclais, Cross (Smith 65), Ashworth-Clifford, Ross (McGregor 65), Momo, Gallacher (M. Carstens 82), Agnew (McAneny 65), Noonan (Harrison 65) Subs: Rodgers, Cavanagh, BrunaFixturesHearts Women Vs. Celtic Women – Sun, Mar 16th 2025, 16:00
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