Celtic 2 Hibernian 1 – Sweet smell of team spirit sees Celtic into the Final

Celtic 2 Hibernian 1…

Celtic headed into today’s SWPL Cup semi-final, up against Cup specialists and 4 in a row cup holders Hibernian, at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling with a final place against Glasgow City awaiting. Sounds good right? Certainly. Was it simple? Nope!

So, what do you do when you are up against four years of history, lose your goalkeeper pre-match, have your head coach go all self-indulgent – yet again – with his starting line-up, and then go a goal behind within 10 minutes?

Well, I guess you re-group and produce something that smells a little bit like team spirit. And that is exactly what Celtic did today, as they overcame early disappointment and a team selection lacking balance, yet somehow amongst all of that, and on the back of a Glasgow Derby defeat seven days ago, produced the goods to put the Hoops into a Cup-Final and a chance of the first silverware of the season. All’s well that ends well of course but what a journey it was. Much of it unnecessary.

In an encounter that was always going to be a challenging affair, Celtic after all had needed a late Charlie Wellings winner to secure the points when the sides met previously in SWPL action, the Hoops relied once again to their brilliant striker to bring home the bacon having starved her of supply all afternoon. Indeed, for Wellings read Kyogo when it comes to the essential need for a talismanic striker. The comparison is there for all to see.

In a first half where Celtic dominated possession of the ball, yet created little of note with it, bar a 2nd Minute Welling’s attempt parried by English in the Hibs goal, and the opposition a Gallagher angled shot that went over. The standout moment was 12th minute lead supplied by Hibs as Alexa Coyle turned creator.

Under too little pressure from Kelly Clark, Coyle found Adams, and after patient possession on the edge of the box, Adams in turn fed Rachel Boyle who immediately unleashed a screamer of an effort past Rachael Johnstone, who didn’t stand a chance, as the ball landed in the postage stamp of the ‘keeper’s top left corner.

There was little between the sides in that first half and clear chances were virtually non-existent. Whilst Celtic were dominant physically and in possession, Hibs Rotational play was far superior to the Celts as they won more second balls and looked far more progressive on the counter than Celtic ever did building from the back.

Jacynta and Wellings at least looked as if they could fashion opportunities, but it was individuality rather than team play that led to both players fashioning opportunities, as both snapped efforts that English handled easily.

Celtic’s issue was very much a lack of balance and acceleration if not pace.

Out wide Celtic had Chloe Craig, assured as a defender but lacking a left foot to impact proceedings with Rachel Donaldson further forward on the left, however both were right footed and my word it showed.

Meanwhile in the middle both Tyler Toland and Olivia Chance were defensively sound but lacking in creative endeavour to feed Wellings, Larisey and Jacynta, who regularly dropped back, looking to create for themselves and allowed Hibs to squeeze the game into tight areas. All very good from a Hibs perspective, yet all self-inflicted from Celtic and particularly by Alonso’s first XI decisions.

Celtic Looked to address the issue at half time as Tegan Bowie and Mengyu Shen were added to the fray at the expense of Donaldson and Larisey, as Fran Alonso kept his side indoors listening to orders as his opponents waited patiently on the Forthbank pitch. Perhaps he was just communicating his first half decisions and apologising profusely.

And immediately Jacynta’s right foot drive bounced in front of Hibs ‘keeper English, who mis-read the flight and allowed the ball to bounce over into the net, reminiscent of a Jenna Fife effort to save from Wellings just a fortnight prior. Celtic then were level within a minute of the re-start via excellent support play from both Shen and Bowie. Amazing what a bit of balance can do to a team, is it not Fran?

Celtic then survived a somewhat desperate call for a penalty that was textbook simulation, before Shen let her feet question her reasoning for being benched as she fed Jodie Bartle who drove a drilled effort wide of the post.

Hibs had their own moments as Coyle headed over from a corner kick but by now Celtic’s balance in the middle and out wide was bringing an assuredness to the play that had been left wanting in the first half of square pegs in round holes.

The winner already looked on the cards as Jacynta hit a long-range drive after quick feet fashioned the space on the edge of the box. However, as that effort headed into the night sky it was only moments to wait before a cup final place was assured, when the desperately underfunded Charlie Wellings struck a right footed drive into the top corner after determined support play from both Jodie Bartle and substitute Kathleen McGovern.

There was still a last chance to make the score comfortable as Bowie – yet again the impact sub of note – linked with Wellings who saw a 20-yard effort parried by English and by now Celtic were cruising.

So, the Hoops head for a Cup Final meeting with Glasgow City next month and a chance for Fran Alonso and his charges to bring home the silverware to match their endeavours in recent months.

However, this encounter was closer than needed to be. And much of that ultimate success was down to the smell of team spirit from the players, as yet again Fran Alonso tested his side with somewhat questionable team selections and unnecessary tactical gambles. Gambles that allowed an opposition to flourish and a star striker to look isolated before Wellings won the day and saved Fran Alonso from looking a proper Charlie.

Celtic: Johnstone; Hayes, Clark (Shorts, 76), Craig; Bartle, Toland (McGovern, 76), Chance, Donaldson (Shen, 46); Larisey (Bowie, 46), Jacynta (Atkinson, 90); Wellings

Hibernian: English; Boyle, Murray, Eddie, Muir; Cavanagh, Notley, McGregor (Malone, 66), Gallacher (Leishman, 86); Coyle, Adams (Morrison, 78)

Niall J