Partick Thistle 0 Celtic FC Women 2

Celtic FC Women returned to SWPL1 action following the international break today and defeated a determined Partick Thistle side, who despite an impressive defensive rear-guard performance, simply couldn’t keep Fran Alonso’s side from collecting all three points, as the Celts emerged with a deserved win with a professional and controlled performance at Petershill Park this afternoon .

Fran Alonso sprung a couple of surprises in his starting line-up with both Chloe Craig and Liv Chance missing from both the team and the match-day squad allowing for a starting place for Izzy Atkinson on the left side and Tyler Toland in the centre of midfield. Meanwhile former Celt Rachel Donaldson lined up for Thistle in this one.

Celtic were straight out the traps in this one and Toland was unlucky after just three minutes with a well struck free kick just missing the target following a free kick award for a foul on Jacynta, in what was a fast paced and fiercely competitive start to the game.

Jacynta’s driving runs were a prominent feature of the opening exchanges, yet it was from a set piece that Celtic nearly scored after 15 minutes with Atkinson hitting a fine dipping effort that McGregor in the Thistle goal did superbly to get down to save, and there was a further opportunity moments later when a smart turn and half volley from Kelly Clark skimmed just over bar, after Atkinson free kick was headed down to the Celtic captain superbly by Caitlin Hayes.

By now Celtic were dominating possession, with perhaps a lack of real penetration the only concern for Fran Alonso as Celtic moved side to side with ease but seemed wary to gamble on penetrative passes, instead too often recycling possession when chances to shoot or pick out teammate’s runs were available.

This changed when Charlie Wellings sent Jacynta away and in space on the counter attack, however, Jacynta’s first touch was heavy and when faced with Lauren McGregor in the Thistle goal chose to try and take the ball around the ‘keeper only to be denied by a good save, but it was a missed opportunity which Jacynta really should have finished, with a lofted finish appearing a better option than trying to evade the goalkeeper.

Celtic did take the lead and deservedly so just after the half hour mark, when Jacynta released Tyler Toland in space at the edge of the box and the Irish midfielder drove the ball goalward. With Thistle blocking the Irish International’s drive the poaching instinct of Charlie Wellings came into play as Celtic’s top scorer pounced on Thistle inability to clear their lines and drove the ball home to put Celtic a goal to the good and give Wellings a 29th goal of the season.

The goal certainly gave Celtic confidence, and although no further goals were scored in the opening period, Celtic were linking well and probing at a Thistle defence who it must be admitted defended stoutly to deny Celtic a further goal, but it wasn’t through any lack of effort or creativity from Celtic in what was a controlled and impressive first half performance from Celtic.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first as Celtic supplied the creativity and Thistle the defensive defiance, with the Hoops squandering chances through a Hayes backpost header that went wide, before a Toland drive from distance also failed to trouble McGregor.

There were further chances from Celtic after a period of pressure from Thistle before Celtic broke up the pitch to win another corner. This time Toland found Hayes again from the delivery, but again Hayes was denied as her effort skimmed the top of the bar, before Charlie Wellings attempted to turn supplier when the striker found space to cross only for the ball to agonisingly evade both Mengyu Shen and Jacynta.

By now a second Celtic goal was long overdue and it justly arrived after 65 minutes. This time Shen, after superb skill, delivered the assist somewhat unselfishly and Charlie Wellings netted her brace to put the game out of reach of a defensively sound opponent who had not quite reached the same sort of heights as an attacking force.

In the end the Wellings goal was enough to win a hard-fought encounter for Celtic, but one they certainly deserved to win. The Hoops were dominant in possession, created plenty of chances and up against a physical opponent never shied away from their footballing principles.

Not for the first time this season it was a controlled and professional performance from Celtic by a group of players no doubt with an eye on selection for a Scottish Cup semi-final ahead in a couple of weeks. And in truth every player involved did their chances of selection no harm whatsoever this afternoon in an impressive win against a disciplined and organised opponent.

Niall J