Page 13 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2022-23

Glasgow City have secured a cup double in the 18s elite youth game after beating Rangers
3-1 in the SHAAP 18s National Academy Programme Cup final.
The result followed Hibernian winning the 14s NAP league cup and city rivals Heart of
Midlothian winning the treble by lifting the 16s NAP league cup on Saturday.
With one or two regulars promoted to the bench at Hampden, 18s league champions
Rangers nevertheless played some nice football, particularly in the second half, with Mason
Clark looking lively up front. But Glasgow City used their experience and physical presence
to take control of the game, and Cara Gray scored the opener, latching onto a cross after 13
minutes.
On 37 minutes Sophia Martin controlled the ball out wide and curled a precise finish from
25 yards into the near top corner, leaving Rangers keeper Lucy Inman with no chance.
In the second half, Rangers upped their physicality and were unlucky not to poke home
from a corner, before City broke on a quick counterattack after the hour mark, Wright cut
into the box to receive a diagonal ball from Forrest and stroked it home. Mason Clark quicky
pulled one back for Rangers after running onto a long ball, but City would hold on and create
a few chances on the break themselves to see out the final three one and secure an
impressive cup double following their Scottish Youth Cup win over Celtic in January.
On Saturday Hibernian ran out 2-1 winners over Celtic to lift the 14s NAP league cup.
Celtic looked to get the ball down on play in the early stages, but the Hibs defence were
comfortable dealing with attacks, while Jessica Ramsey in midfield looked lively running the
channels. The Hibees grew in confidence, and on 23 minutes forward Ava Keenan drove a
low free kick just outside the far post. She would make up for it a five minutes later, latching
onto a wonderful chip by Ramsey and lobbing it over the onrushing keeper for the opener.
Celtic equalised within a minute of the second half kicking off, Lily McLaughlin cutting
in from wide and firing home.
Keenan came under some heavy challenges and Hibs were forced into a change, but
they worked a corner well which found Ramsey but her shot cracked off the bar, then Celtic
broke up the other end and won a free kick on the edge of the box, that, too was denied by
the bar after the Hibs keeper got a hand to it.
The game looked to be heading to extra time as the teams jousted for control of the
midfield, but Ramsey would prove matchwinner, driving home from a diagonal pass from
25 yards to send the cup back to Leith.
The 16s final was full of excellent football from both sides, with Hamilton Academical
taking the game to league and Scottish Youth Cup holders Hearts. Indeed, it was Accies who
had double-winning Hearts on the back foot in the early stages, utilising the high press to
good effect in midfield and the Hamilton wingers looking lively going forward. A resolute
Hearts defence managed a goal saving tackle in the box after 26 minutes.
As the half neared its conclusion, commanding Hamilton keeper Emma Thomson came
out bravely to charge down a strike by Izzy Young, ensuring it was goalless at the break. But
it was Hearts who emerged for the second half hungrier, Jessica Husband cutting in on the
right with a great finish into the far corner.
Hearts were starting to pull the strings through Olivia Chomczuk, and on 53 minutes
Young burst free and her shot beat Thomson but rebounded off the upright and the keeper
did well to smother it.
Shortly afterwards, Hearts would double their lead through Emily Shanks with a rocket
into the top bins. And with Hamilton working hard through 22 to get back into the game,
Hearts would add a third through Amelie Chomczuk, cutting into the box and controlling
brilliantly before poking home to secure an impressive treble for this young Hearts side.
(scotwomensfootball.com)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk