She’s quick, she’s strong, and her name is far too long. And that’s why we call first time Celtic scorer Galabadaarachchi simply – Jacynta.
Celtic’s number eight scored her first goal in the Hoops since signing from Italian side Napoli tonight as Celtic emerged 4-0 winners and ensured Champions League qualification for next season remained very much in their own hands ahead of a vital Glasgow Derby this weekend.
Celtic headed into this evening’s clash with Spartans lying a single point behind theRangers in the race for a second-place league finish and with it a Champions league spot ahead of next season, and five points behind 13 times champions Glasgow City in the race for the SWPL1 title itself.
With both opponents playing away from home to Hibs and Motherwell respectively, Celtic at least had home advantage as they looked to claw back the deficit tonight. Well, they should have, however Celtic played this evening’s encounter at Lennoxtown having already utilised both K-Park and Celtic Park for home games this season.
With K-Park double booked again and Celtic Park having the turf re-laid, the Hoops had to settle for a third home ground of the season. We may have a professional football team at women’s level but the professionalism from the Club in supporting this team certainly needs addressing.
Tonight’s opponents Spartans certainly had their own incentive tonight lying level on points with Hibs, they would be hopeful some kind of upset, allied to a defeat for their Edinburgh rivals, would allow them to leapfrog Hibs into fourth place. Meanwhile Celtic were looking to continue an eight-game unbeaten record and ensure the fight for the runners up spot, ahead of a weekend Glasgow Derby meeting with theRangers, would remain in their own hands.
Pre-match Fran Alonso had indicated he was aware tonight’s opponent would be a tough nut to crack and advised in his programme notes that his now famous tinkering with his first team would be put to one side and a strong Celtic side put out.
With that in mind it was a surprise to see Rachael Johnstone get consecutive starts in goal at the expense of Chloe Logan however is must say it was most deserved, whilst there were returns to the starting line-up for Mariah Lee, Rachel Donaldson, Caitlin Hayes, Anna Filbey and Chloe Warrington as Alonso was good to his word in putting out his big-hitters.
Celtic started strongly but had to be patient with the first real chance falling to Jacynta after good work from Sarah Ewens but the shot was blocked. However, Celtic were simply finding their range as three minutes later the deadlock was broken as provider turned goalscorer with Sarah Ewens latching onto a long ball from Anna Filbey to guide the ball home from inside the box. 1-0 Celtic and double figures for the season for Celtic’s biggest goal threat.
And as much as Ewens is renowned for goals the scorer of Celtic’s second was breaking her duck as Jacynta scored her first goal for the club just before the half hour as a Mariah Lee drive and cutback left Jacynta clear to thump it home and make it 2-0 for the Celts. Then with four minutes of the half remaining a delighted Jodie Bartle made it 3-0 to the Celts at half time with her first goal since a 6-2 win over Hibs in November, this time with a simple header from a wicked corner kick delivery from Anna Filbey.
If there were any thoughts of conserving energy and taking the foot off the peddle ahead of Sunday’s Derby encounter, they were dispelled six minutes into the second half as Mariah Lee was sent clear down on the left wing before driving at goal and producing a sliced effort through a packed 18-yard box to put Celtic 4-0 up and the game as a contest to bed. And with that Alonso made his first changes of the evening with Sarah Ewens and Chloe Warrington making way for Izzy Atkinson and London Pollard, before Robertson and Filbey were replaced by McAllister and Nicolson as the Celtic coaching staff turned their thoughts to Sunday.
There were further opportunities for Celtic as Nicolson, Pollard, Lee and Jacynta all had chances for Celtic to get a fifth, while Spartans had their own as Clelland’s shot came off the bar, before Marshall and Frew had chances to score for Spartans in the closing stages, however there was no futher scoring as Celtic emerged 4-0 winners at Lennoxtown.
Celtic’s superb win tonight keeps Fran Alonso’s charges bang on course for at the very least Champions League football next season as next up the Celt’s head for a Glasgow Derby and European football entirely in their own hands, and that one you will be able to see live on BBC Alba this Sunday at 4.10pm. Live television coverage of a title race? This will never catch on!
Full-time and it’s nine games unbeaten and five clean sheets in a row for the Celts! Come on the Hoops! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/h0AGgcAOrk
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) May 19, 2021
They say you always remember your first time, and when it comes to scoring for Celtic Jacynta knows just how that feels tonight. Perhaps another on Sunday Jacynta?
It’s all eyes on the Champions League prize now as Celtic look ahead to a Sunday meeting with theRangers who were looking good for three points themselves with a 2-0 half-time lead way to Hibs. Now unbeaten in nine games and on the back of five consecutive clean sheets, Celtic will be ready.
Niall J
