Scottish Women’s Premier League
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh

HIBERNIAN... 2
(Adams 45, Baucom 45+3pen)

CELTIC… 4
(Gallacher 5, 31, 70, Cavanagh 14)

Celtic FC Women made it five wins from five in the SWPL this afternoon (Sunday) after defeating Hibernian 4-2.

After going 3-0 up in the first half hour of the game thanks to goals from Amy Gallacher and Colette Cavanagh, the home side pulled themselves back into the game with two goals before the break.

However, with 20 minutes remaining, Gallacher sealed her hat-trick and all three points for the Hoops in the capital.

Following on from another emphatic 9-0 victory against Dundee United, which took the Celts’ scoring tally to 30 goals in the opening four games, the Hoops were looking to continue their fine form in front of goal.

And they did exactly that, opening the scoring five minutes into the game through Gallacher, who continued her run of grabbing a goal in each of the opening SWPL fixtures.

A well-worked team goal was finished off by the forward, after Shen Menglu’s pass over the top of the Hibernian defence found Kit Loferski. The American took a delightful first touch to set the ball for Gallacher, who smashed her finish into the top corner.

Little under 10 minutes later, the Ghirls doubled their advantage as Colette Cavanagh scored her second goal in as many games.

After more good work down the left from Loferski, she was able to pick up the midfielder who tapped the ball home from close-range.

The home side were looking to respond to the early setbacks they had suffered, and had a number of free-kicks as they attempted to trouble Kelsey Daugherty between the sticks.

The Celtic shot-stopper had one save of note to make within that time, with the backline doing well to deal with the trouble.

On the half hour mark, the Celts managed to grab a third goal and it was once again Gallacher who was on the scoresheet. A direct run from Menglu caused the Hibs defence trouble as the attacker looked to get a shot on goal.

Her resulting strike was well blocked by the defender. However, Gallacher was quickest to react to the loose ball, smashing it into the roof of the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Despite the commanding lead the Hoops held heading towards the break, it was soon reduced by the home side who pulled two goals back in the closing minutes of the first half.

A cross into the box from former Celt Tegan Bowie wasn’t dealt with, and Eilidh Adams was on hand to turn the ball home at the back post.

In the dying seconds of the half, the scoreline was cut once more after the referee pointed to the spot after Kit Loferski was penalised for a challenge on the edge of the area.

The resulting penalty was converted by Baucom, who sent Daugherty the wrong way to make the score 3-2.

Early in the second half, Celtic were aiming to regain their two-goal advantage as both Jenny Smith and Loferski tried their luck from range, though their efforts were comfortably held by the goalkeeper.

The home side were still threatening in the game, too, and Daugherty was forced into a big save before the hour mark, getting down brilliantly to deny Baucom her second.

After being introduced to the game in the second half, substitute Tiree Burchill was looking to cause trouble for the Hibs defence and she almost set up Loferski inside the area, but it was cut out just as the American was looking to get the ball under control.

On the 70-minute mark, the Celts wrapped up all three points thanks to another strike from Gallacher, which also sealed her hat-trick against her former club.

Winning the ball back high up the pitch, the forward played a nice one-two with Burchill, before slotting a strike into the far bottom corner.

After extending their advantage to two goals, the Ghirls continued to push for more goals, from a series of corners, as well as efforts from range by Shen Mengyu and Maria McAneny.

However, that would be all in terms of scoring and Celtic took home all three points.

Next up for Fran Alonso and his side is a trip to the continent as they take on Brondby in Norway in Round One of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday.

Amy Gallacher the hat-trick hero as Hoops beat Hibs