SWPL
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Balmoral Stadium, Aberdeen

ABERDEEN…0

CELTIC…4
(Agnew 3, Gallacher 20, Smith 48, M.Carstens 66)

Celtic FC Women secured their first victory on the road of the season on Sunday afternoon after running out 4-0 winners over Aberdeen.

Two goals in either half from Murphy Agnew, Amy Gallacher, Jenny Smith and a first Celtic goal for Mathilde Carstens made sure the Celts continued their 100 per cent record in the SWPL so far this season.

Having made a very bright start to proceedings, Murphy Agnew was on hand to give Celtic an early advantage, heading home Maria McAneny’s cross from the right-hand side after just three minutes.

The Hoops piled plenty of pressured on the home side in the first 45 minutes, delivering a number of dangerous crosses into the penalty area.

Both Jenny Smith and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford were causing trouble down the flanks, while the forward players were looking to link-up and break down the deep Aberdeen backline.

Howeve, it didn’t take long for the Celts to double their advantage as Amy Gallacher scored the second of the game on the 20-minute mark.

A tantalising cross into the box from Smith allowed the Celtic number seven to slide in and force the ball home from just a few yards out.

That threat continued throughout the half, with Caitlin Hayes also coming close on two separate occasions with headers towards goal, but both efforts went just narrowly over the crossbar.

Heading into the break, Celtic couldn’t add to their tally in the opening 45 despite such a dominant half of football.

However, they would soon make it 3-0 at the start of the second half. Making a quick start to the half, Jenny Smith was on hand to score her second goal of the campaign after her effort found the far top corner of the net.

Having made three changes at the break, the substitutes impact on the game was there for all to see, with Hana Kerner, Natalie Ross and Mathilde Carstens being introduced at the break.

And it was Carstens who scored Celtic’s fourth of the afternoon, and her first goal in green and white Hoops.

Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, the summer signing found the bottom corner of the net with a superb effort to extend the Ghirls’ advantage even further.

The Hoops continued to look to add to their tally, with some great football on display in the second 45 minutes.

Heading into the closing stages of the match, the home side were also reduced to 10 players, following a cynical foul on Hana Kerner.

Although the Ghirls couldn’t add to their advantage, it was another positive three points to take home, continuing the team's perfect start to the season.

Next up for Elena Sadiku and her squad is a return to the Albert Bartlett Stadium, as they welcome Hibernian to Airdrie on Friday evening.

Hoops keep up impressive form with victory against Aberdeen