SWPL Thursday, September 19, 2024Links Park MONTROSE…2(Codegoni 61, Brown 78) CELTIC…4(Noonan 14, 45+2, 80, McAneny) Celtic FC Women climbed to top spot in the SWPL on Thursday evening after running out 4-2 winners over Montrose. A second hat-trick for the Hoops from Saoirse Noonan, alongside Maria McAneny’s first half strike made sure all three points would come back to Glasgow. With a huge week of action ahead for the Ghirls in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Elena Sadiku’s side travelled to Montrose for the rescheduled fixture. With the chance to at least temporarily jump into top spot in the league, the Hoops would have been aiming to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign. And they went the right way about it from the off, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes of the game through Saoirse Noonan and Maria McAneny. With the first of the two opening goals coming in the 14th minute, the Irish forward found the back of the net for the first time in the game with a fantastic finish, leaving the Montrose keeper with no chance. And just six minutes later, McAneny followed that strike with a neat finish of her own, rounding off a sweeping move down the right-hand side from inside the area. After such a bright start to the match, the Celts continued to pile the pressure on the hosts with a number of chances to extend their advantage. Noonan was unfortunate not to add to her tally shortly after her opener, seeing a few efforts saved and blocked off. However, the Ireland internationalist managed to secure her brace just before the break with a sublime finish. Working a short free kick, Noonan managed to find the smallest of gaps with her finish, placing the ball in the far top corner on the angle inside the penalty area. Following such a positive first half display, Celtic would have been looking to build upon that and kick-on. And despite having those chances to do exactly that, it was Montrose who would play their way back into the game, scoring two quick-fire second half goals. That didn’t cause panic in the Celtic ranks though, and it didn’t take long until that two-goal advantage was extended once more as Noonan sealed the hat-trick. After a nice interchange with strike partner and Celtic debutant Morgan Cross, the striker hit a powerful half volley which once again gave the goalkeeper no chance. Although the Celts will have felt like they could have had more in the game, ultimately, it was another three points secured on their travels on Thursday evening. Next up for Sadiku and her squad is a return to UEFA Women’s Champions League action as the Hoops welcome Vorskla Poltava to the Albert Bartlett Stadium this Sunday (KO 12pm) CELTIC: Rodgers, Richardson (Hayes 65), Clark, Bruna (Cavanagh 65), Barclais (Ashworth-Clifford 65), Lawton, S. Carstens (McGregor 65), McAneny, M.Carstens, Loferski (Cross 65), Noonan Subs: Daugherty, Gallacher, Smith, Kerner
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