Page 4 - Women's Spccer Scene Issue No.37 2021-22

Celtic dig in for Cup glory

Celtic 3 (Shen 19, Wellings pen 36, Atkinson 112)
Glasgow City 2 (Clark 24, Davidson pen 40)
(after extra time)
att 4,345; at Tynecastle Park
Celtic have won the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup
for the first time in their history and defied having
to play with ten players for 79 minutes in a
thrilling Final at Tynecastle.
The result also means that Celtic have
triumphed in both Cup competitions this season
but for Glasgow City, it means that for the first
time in 18 years, they have ended up without a
major trophy, having finished as runners-up in
both Cups as well as the league.
In front of an attendance of 4,345 - a record
for a Scottish Women’s Cup Final - the game
started off at a fast pace and, perhaps inevitably,
the first chance of the game fell to Celtic striker She’s under there somewhere…Celtic celebrate after
Charlie Wellings whose shot was blocked by the legs Izzy Anderson’s extra time goal.
of City goalkeeper Lee Alexander. At the other end, a
cross from Megan Foley hit the frame of the goal.
The deadlock was broken on 19 minutes and it was Celtic who took the lead. Clarissa Larisey
made a good run down the left, drawing three opponents towards her, before laying the ball back for
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi who clipped a diagonal ball over the City defence for the oncoming
Mengyu Shen to take a touch before firing a powerful strike past Alexander at her near post.
City were forced to replace Mairead Fulton with Niamh Farrelly but their response to falling
behind was an impressive one, getting themselves back on level terms within five minutes. Hayley
Lauder floated a free kick into the area from the left and Jenna Clark ran in to bundle in the equaliser
with her knee from six yards.
Joy for Clark, though, was to turn to anguish shortly afterwards as she was adjudged to have
brought down Larisey following a strong run into the area. Jacynta had fired a shot over the bar but
play was brought back for the foul and a penalty was awarded. Wellings stepped up and showed good
composure to send Alexander the wrong way from the spot to give the former Birmingham City and
Bristol City striker her 40th goal of the season.
Once again, City reacted well and got back on terms four minutes later with a penalty of their
own. Abbi Grant broke down the right and a dangerous low ball into the area, where Priscilla
Chinchilla was tugged back by Jodie Bartle. The Celtic defender was shown a red card for the foul,
somewhat harshly, before Lauren Davidson beat
Rachael Johnstone from the spot to ensure that the
scoreline was level at the end of a pulsating first half.
City looked to be the favourites due to having
the extra player but Celtic re-organised matters to
deny their opponents from getting in behind them
and restricting chances. Just before the hour mark
though, City almost went in front for the first time as
Lauder floated a delightful cross into the area from a
corner, Clark rose highest at the far post where her
downward header looked destined for the net but
Johnstone dived to her left to pull off an outstanding
save.
Back came Celtic and a long ball forward by
Larisey was latched onto by Olivia Chance who made
her way into the area but sent her shot just wide of
the far post. Glasgow City celebrate Jenna Clark’s first half equaliser.
Issue no. 37 - 2 June 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk