It what was a frustrating day for Fran Alonso, his captain Kelly Clark and the rest of the Celtic FC Women team yesterday, losing 2-1 to Glasgow City at Petershill Park in a match that Celtic controlled and in the second half dominated.
Celtic went into the game with January signing Anna Vincenti in goals with both Chloe Logan and Rachael Johnstone sidelined with injuries. There was no substitute goalkeeper available and wishing ten minutes the Celtic’s last goalkeeper standing was also injured and forced to go off.
Captain Kelly Clark was forced to take the gloves and having an outfield player in goals clearly cost Celtic the second goal conceded in that first half right on the stroke of the interval after a needless free kick had been conceded. Clark otherwise put in a commendable performance and never looked like conceding in a second half Celtic dominated.
Glasgow City took the lead before Clark’s one error of the day when the referee ignored a clear foul on Celtic centre half Caitlin Hayes out on the left hand touchline, much to the annoyance of the Celtic bench.
Charlie Wellings got her 26th goal of the season in that second half of Celtic pressure on the City goal and perhaps on another day she would have had another. Gros came on in the last throw of the dice in the closing stages, replacing player of the match Hayes, and the Icelandic teenager hit the bar with one effort then looked for one pass too many when passing up a clear shot on the City goal after fine work from the impressive Clarissa Larisey.
So that was that, a defeat Celtic’s performance did not deserve. Celtic will now finish third in the SWPL1 this season and frustratingly will miss out on the Champions League in the summer. However the League Cup is in the Parkhead trophy room (or more accurately the Boardroom cabinet) and the Scottish Cup is still there to be won.
Don’t forget you have until midweek to order your FREE tickets for the Celtic FC Women v Hibs game at Celtic Park on Saturday 26 March – full details HERE.
After yesterday’s frustrating afternoon both Fran Alonso and Kelly Clark spoke to Celtic TV, Fran’s frustration and Kelly’s disappointment are both very clear to see yet both hopefully will be proud of the team today.
Michael Nicholson and the Celtic Board now need to allow Alonso the financial leg room that quite remarkably is available across the city to allow this talented young Celtic team to improve to the next level and take the title next season.
🗣️ Manager Fran Alonso’s reaction to this evening’s 2-1 defeat to Glasgow City and the early injury to keeper Anna Vincenti. #SWPL 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/5H7YZnEZ3k
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 13, 2022
📹 Captain Kelly Clark after stepping in for the injured Anna Vincenti in goal!
🗣️ “Credit to the Ghirls… they really protected me, they threw themselves in front of things and tried to keep the ball as high up the pitch as they could.”#SWPL 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/VHdEO3xeLj
— Celtic FC Women (@CelticFCWomen) March 13, 2022
MATCH REPORT…Glasgow City 2 Celtic 1 – Alonso sees red as luckless Celtic lose despite dominating Champions
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Only one team trying to play football in difficult conditions/circumstances.Caitlin Hayes was immense and the movement and effort from Jacynta and Charlie was excellent.The Ghirls also stood up for themselves physically.No way did they deserve to lose.