Scottish Cup Quarter Final Aberdeen 0 Celtic FC Women 2
With the Scottish League Cup already sitting proudly in the Parkhead Trophy room, Celtic FC Women headed to the Balmoral Stadium this afternoon, looking to get beyond the challenge of a good Aberdeen side and progress to the Semi-Finals of the Scottish Cup.
Fran Alonso’s side did just that with a professional and comfortable 2-0 win in the North East to see off Aberdeen in this afternoon’s Scottish Cup Quarter Final, and now the ultimate aim this season of landing an impressive domestic cup double is very much on.
The Hoops were buoyed pre-match by the return of Rachael Johnstone in goal after a period out injured. Indeed, no fewer than seven players have pulled on the gloves for Celtic this season, as such the return of Johnstone was a most reassuring start to the afternoon. However, the Hoops were still without top scorer Charlie Wellings, although that blow is always softened somewhat by the inclusion of Clarissa Larisey in the striking role, particularly on the back of an outstanding performance against Hibs at Celtic Park last weekend.
The Celts got off to a good start and almost scored within two minutes, when after good work involving Shen Mengyu and Jacynta, Maria Olafsdottir-Gros crossed well only for Larisey to send an effort wide of the post. Two minutes later and Jacynta hit an effort goalward that Aberdeen ‘keeper Meach had to deflect wide, and Celtic had, it appeared, got into their stride early.
It was a surprise then, that it took until four minutes before half time for the Hoops to break down Aberdeen and eventually take the lead, with Shen Mengyu and Larisey linking up superbly before the Chinese international rattled a shot past Meach to put the Hoops a goal to the good at the break.
It was a first half of plenty of pressure from Celtic, and a cup-tie ably contested by Aberdeen. Celtic forced a series of corners, but in truth few clear-cut chances after a bright opening. As such a goal before the break would have settled everyone down in the Celtic camp and suitably disheartened the Dons at just the perfect time.
Jacynta was the first Celt to try and grab the second goal that would have given the Hoops breathing space in this tight match, however Meach in the Aberdeen goal dealt comfortably with the effort after Jacynta created space in a tight area three minutes into the second half.
Celtic’s persistence was rewarded just before the hour mark as Jodie Bartle fresh from scoring a headed goal at Celtic Park last week, managed the same again today, when despite being surrounded by red shirts, the on-form defender jumped the highest to force the ball past Meach and put Celtic on easy street.
Fran Alonso took the opportunity of a two-goal cushion to ring the changes as a triple substitution saw Tyler Toland, Maria Olafsdottir-Gros and Chloe Craig make way for Sarah Harkes, Tegan Bowie and Caitlin Hayes, the latter returning from injury after missing last weekend’s big game at Celtic Park.
Celtic then forced two further opportunities within a couple of minutes of each other, as first Larisey lost her footing chasing down an opportunity when through on Meach, before a training ground corner routine was stopped by Meach with the assistance of a post.
Fran Alonso then made his final substitutions with the introduction of Abbie Ferguson and Annie Timoney for Jodie Bartle and Jacynta with 17 minutes remaining, but bar a disappointing Sarah Harkes free-kick there was little of note created. And nor did there need to be as Celtic got the job done and saw out the game comfortably to ensure they reached the last four of the Scottish Cup and what would be two wins from an incredible domestic cup double this season.
Niall J
