SWPL
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Albert Bartlett Stadium Airdrie

CELTIC…5

(Noonan 3, Ashworth-Clifford 24, Gallacher 30, Agnew 76, McAneny 79)

MOTHERWELL…1

(Cross 58)

Celtic FC Women made it three wins from three in the SWPL after running out 5-1 winners over Motherwell on Wednesday evening.

Playing out their second match of three this week, the Ghirls secured all three points with goals coming from five different scorers in Saoirse Noonan, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Amy Gallacher, Murphy Agnew and Maria McAneny.

Following Sunday’s important 1-0 win over Glasgow City, the Ghirls were quickly back in action at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.

Elena Sadiku was able to make five changes to the side, introducing more fresh legs and bringing Bruna Lounrenco, Jenny Smith, Signe and Mathilde Carstens, and Saoirse Noonan.

And after returning to the starting line-up, Noonan made an instant impact scoring the opening goal of the game inside the first few minutes.

The Ireland internationalist was on hand to grab the first goal of the evening, forcing the ball home from close range after both Caitlin Hayes and Chloe Craig saw efforts cleared off the line.

The Celts made a lightening start to the match and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford came close just moments later after latching on to Jenny Smith’s cross into the box.

However, it didn’t take long for the winger to get herself on the scoresheet, with a superb strike from outside the area,

Picking up the ball on the left, Ashworth-Clifford cut inside before bending the ball into the far top corner of the net.

It didn’t take much longer for the Hoops to grab a third of the evening either, with Ashworth-Clifford this time, turning provider.

The English midfielder’s well timed cut back was met by Amy Gallacher, who wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity as she side-footed the ball into the net.

After putting so much pressure on the Motherwell defence inside the first half hour, Sadiku’s side continued the momentum throughout the half, and into the second half.

Despite that, it was the visitors who would pull one back just before the hour mark, with an impressive solo strike.

The Ghirls didn’t let that effect their confidence though, going on to grab two goals in two minutes as the game approached the closing stages.

It was two substitutes who would make their impact on proceedings as Agnew headed home a well worked move, before McAneny’s tidy finish inside the area rounded off the scoring on another successful night.

The busy fixture schedule continues for Sadiku and her squad this weekend as they make the trip to Aberdeen for their first away game of the season on Sunday (August 25).

Five goals and five scorers for Celts in midweek win