Sky Sports Cup
Sunday, October 1, 2023
New Douglas Park, Hamilton

HAMILTON ACCIES… 0

CELTIC… 6
(Menglu 3, Hayes 6, Partido 15, Barclais 22, Addi 53, Cavanagh 75)

Celtic FC Women booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Sky Sports Cup after seeing off Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park with a 6-0 victory.

With six different scorers, it was another impressive attacking display from Fran Alonso’s side as they kicked off the cup campaign with a win.

After returning from the international break, the Celts were aiming to continue the early momentum they have built at the beginning of the campaign, and they did exactly that, making the perfect start to the match by taking the lead inside three minutes.

Cutting in from the left hand, Shen Menglu unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner of the net. Just three minutes later, the perfect start to the match continued as Caitlin Hayes got in on the goalscoring act as she met Chloe Craig’s cross at the back post.

The goals kept coming for the Hoops in the early stages as Paula Partido added the third of the match, showcasing fantastic persistence to make the score 3-0 in Celtic's favour.

After initially reacting quickest to a stramash in the box, the Spaniard looked to find the bottom corner, but saw her effort come off the inside of the post. However, she was the fastest to the ball inside the area as she tapped the ball home from close-range.

Murphy Agnew came desperately close to scoring her first goal in Celtic colours, latching on to a cross and volleying the ball towards goal, but her effort was well-blocked by the Accies defence.

Before the half hour mark, the Celts had their fourth of the match as Celya Barclais was on hand at the back post to force the ball home.

After opening the scoring in the match, Menglu turned provider, doing brilliantly to keep the ball in play, before setting up the French defender at the back post.

Heading into the second half, Fran Alonso was able to ring the changes with another big fixture to come on Thursday evening against Glasgow City.

One of those five changes at the break included new signing, Sydney Cummings who came off the bench to make her Celtic debut.

With a number of changes made to the side in the second 45 minutes, there was some adjustments to the side, including moving Imane Addi into the wing-back area.

The Moroccan internationalist was able to showcase her quality in that area after scoring early in the second half. In similar fashion to Shen Menglu’s opener, Addi cut inside her marker before sending the ball into the top corner.

Jenny Smith had the opportunity to continue her fine run in front of goal, but the midfielder saw an effort saved by the goalkeeper, before also striking the crossbar.

The scoring was rounded off by another substitute, though, as Colette Cavanagh finished off a fantastic team move.

Working the ball patiently around the Accies defence, the ball eventually made its way to Tiree Burchill, who laid a pass into Cavanagh, and the midfielder made no mistake with her first-time finish.

Victory at New Douglas Park sees the Ghirls secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Sky Sports Cup. Next up for the Hoops, it is back to SWPL action on Thursday evening as they take on Glasgow City at the Excelsior Stadium.

CELTIC: Daugherty, Barclais (Cavanagh 46), Craig, Agnew (Smith 46), Clark, Hayes (Cummings 46), Partido, Loferski (Gallacher 46), Menglu (Burchill 46), Goldie, Addi.
Subs: Logan, Ross, Sharkey, McGoldrick

Six of the best from Celtic as they march on in the cup