Celtic headed to Penicuik Park this evening on the back of a weekend whitewash of theRangers to go two points clear of their rivals in second place in SWPL1 in the race for a Champions League spot and still with a chance of bringing home the title itself in the Hoops first season as a professional club. In the end Celtic emerged victorious by a single goal as pre-match belief made way for full time relief and 1-0 win.
Opponents Hibs weren’t exactly lacking in confidence either in the lead up to this one having held 13 times Champions Glasgow City to a goalless draw on Sunday, the very result that opened up the opportunity for Celtic to once again believe a league trophy could be achievable.
There was also the spectacle of supporters being allowed to attend for the first time in over a year and a kick of delayed by 30 minutes to boot, though I’m not entirely certain that was exactly due to long queues outside rather than traffic problems.
Celtic made some changes on the back of an exhausting game on Sunday with Rachael Johnstone once again coming into the side in goal for the third game in four and replacing Chloe Logan, who although at fault for conceding on Sunday, it must also be said produced some superb saves in the game. Whilst Kelly Clark, scorer of the opening goal against theRangers dropped to the bench as did Jacynta after a poor Glasgow Derby, with Kate Nicolson coming into the side and Izzy Atkinson also making a start as match winner Sarah Ewens returned to a more central position up front.
The first half it must be said was short of real chances and it took until close on half time before the first goal of the game arrived as Caitlin Hayes headed home at Hibs back post from a Lisa Robertson and Anna Filbey well worked corner to send Celtic in with the lead at the break.
Up to that point it was an entertaining game with both teams keeping the ball on the deck, pressing well and playing with an excellent tempo, but in truth from open play they were cancelling each other out and chances created were more hopeful than clear cut. Though a special mention must go to the excellent Nicolson in the middle of the park who not only added solidity in central midfield but also threatened from distance and was unlucky with a couple of first half efforts not to score.
If Celtic intended to break this Hibs side down again in the second half a little more invention in the wide areas was going to be required, particularly with Hibs looking capable of causing Celtic problems and showing what a good side in possession they were capable of being. With Glasgow City level with Hearts and Rangers well in control against Forfar it seemed some creativity was going to be required to ensure Celtic emerged with all three points, in the end it was fight rather than flair that won the day.
As the second half started Celtic took control of the game as Hibs were pushed back deeper and deeper. The Celts seemed far more comfortable in possession and spent the opening ten minutes camped inside the Hibs half, yet only really had a Sarah Ewens opportunity to show for their efforts. By this time Glasgow City had added a couple of goals to edge ahead against Hearts and it was looking like a Celtic win was now going to be essential just to maintain second spot.
With Celtic looking to inject something into the game captain Kelly Clark and Rachel Donaldson, unlucky not to start the game, replaced Kate Nicolson and Izzy Atkinson with an hour gone. Six minutes later hearts skipped a beat after a mix up in defence led to an awkward challenge from Chloe Craig that left the referee with a decision as to whether or not to award the spot kick – thankfully play was waved on, but this was a sign just how precarious this lead was.
Yet two minutes later nerves could have been settled, as after a period of Hibs pressure Celtic nearly grabbed a second, as once again a set piece delivery from Lisa Robertson picked out Hayes but the big tre half couldn’t quite get the headed effort directed at goal, and moments later Mariah Lee could also have done the necessary but from a tight angle Celtic’s number seven could only send the ball across the goal.
For the last twenty minutes nerves were frayed, Hibs if anything looked the likelier side to score yet Celtic held firm and cleared their lines well as Fran Alonso sent on London Pollard for Mariah Lee with the clear intent of trying to hold the ball up front and give his side a breather, rather than look to utilise Lee’s pace in behind.
Then came the real heart in mouth moment as Hibs Cavanagh did brilliantly to fashion space at the edge of the box before driving the effort goalward but thankfully just off target. We then had Tegan Bowie replacing Sarah Ewens and the sign of Fran Alonso using his substitution simply to take the sting out of a Hibs side building momentum.
In the end Celtic held on and it was a deserved win against a difficult opponent. It may not have been pretty; it may have been nerve wracking but it was another three points and six out of six in three days in two mentally and physically draining games.
This may well be a game Fran Alonso and his players would consider was lacking in their usual high standards but it was just the sort of performance you need to ensure you are there when the prizes are handed out. In that sense this may be an even bigger win than Sunday.
Niall J
