City lose out in extra time as Celtic claim Scottish Cup

City lose out in extra time as Celtic claim Scottish Cup



image_blog

A late strike from Isibeal Atkinson would seal a 3-2 win extra time win for 10 player Celtic as Glasgow City lost out in extra time in the Biffa Scottish Cup Final at Tynecastle.

Jenna Clark (24) and Lauren Davidson (41, pen) twice restored parity, but goals from Megyu Shen (19), Charlie Wellings (36, pen) and Atkinson would hand the trophy to the Hoops.

Head coach Eileen Gleeson made four changes to the side who drew 0-0 at Hibernian, bringing in Lee Alexander, Clare Shine, Agata Filipa and Hayley Lauder to the starting XI.

A quiet opening period saw the first chance of the game fall to Charlie Wellings, who broke the offside trap perfectly to race clear, however, Alexander was equal to her effort.

Moments later Megan Foley’s would almost open the scoring when her cross pinged off Rachael Johnstone’s crossbar.

And City would rue that when Shen would open the scoring shortly afterwards, blasting beyond Alexander after a great cross from Olivia Chance.

The lead would last only four minutes though, as an inch perfect free-kick from Hayley Lauder was nodded home by Scottish international Clark.

The Hoops would respond well, breaking on City again and seeing Wellings attempt a drive.

Controversially, Celtic would retake the lead through a penalty when Clark was adjudged to have taken out Jaycynta in the area. There was plenty confusion though, with the referee allowing play to continue for several phases before pulling the play back to award the spot kick.

Wellings would make no mistake to put her side back into the lead.

The game would turn on its head seconds later though when City had a penalty off their own after Jodie Bartle tripped Priscila Chinchilla in the area.

Despite claims to the contrary, the defender would receive a straight red as Celtic were reduced to 10 players.

Davidson remained calm to send Johnstone the wrong way and level the scores just before half time.

Jenna Clark almost had an unexpected double just before the hour mark, but a fabulous save from Johnstone ensured the score-line remained level.

Lauder was the next to close, firing a vicious half volley just wide of the Hoops’ left hand post.

Celtic remained dangerous despite being a player short though, and Fran Alonso’s side gave City a scare momentarily when Wellings trickled a shot inches wide of the post.

A terrific cross field ball from Agata Filipa handed Davidson an opportunity to sting the palms of Celtic stopper Johnstone with the game edges towards the closing stages.

Celtic would waste a glorious opportunity with just 15 minutes left when Wellings would once again escape the offside trap and round Alexander but, thankfully for City, she would fire over with the goal gaping.

City pressure would build as the game moved into the final stages, with the best chance falling to substitute Ode Fulutudilu at the edge of the box, but a late ditch tackle would divert the ball over the bar.

A quick free kick almost saw the captain Lauder break the deadline in extra time, but her cross shot would go agonisingly wide.

It would be Celtic would take the win though, when Isibeal Atkinson would steal free of Jenna Clark in the dying minutes of injury time to smash beyond Alexander.

Celtic: Johnstone, Bartle, Shorts, Jacynta, Shen, Larisey, Chance, Harkes, Clark, Hayes, Wellings.

City: Alexander, Lauder (Dodds, 105), Walsh, Fulton (Farrelly, 21), Shine (Kats, 82), Clark, Davidson, Grant (Fulutudilu, 72), Agata Filipa, Chinchilla, Foley.

Back to Latest News