Glasgow City 2
Lovera 54’, Davidson 65’
Shelbourne 0
By Stephen Bark
Glasgow City secured their place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round One Final after defeating Shelbourne 2-0 at the Siauliai Central Stadium.
Second half goals from Brenna Lovera and Lauren Davidson secured the win and City will now play either hosts Gintra or Cardiff City in Saturday’s final.
City made one change to the side which defeated Hearts at Petershill at the weekend with Amy Muir replacing Claire Walsh.
The first chance fell to City in the opening minute as Linda Motlhalo’s header went wide of Amanda McQuillan’s goal.
It was a good start from City as Kinga Kozak hit the crossbar – causing a stramash which Corri Sullivan almost turned home – and Davidson and Sullivan had efforts blocked in the opening 20 minutes.
Former City player Noelle Murray put one over the bar for Shelbourne before Alex Kavanagh curled a freekick wide.
After a good move from City, Lovera produced the first of two top saves from McQuillan in the first half as she tipped the curling effort round the post. It was then Lovera again with a header from a corner which McQuillan had to be at the top of her game to keep out.
The teams went in goalless at the break but City were quick out the traps in the second 45.
Kenzie Weir looped a header over before Kozak’s shot went just over. Christie Gray had the best chance for Shelbourne but Lee Gibson stood up well to block the effort.
City broke the deadlock just after the hour mark. A good challenge from Kozak won back possession and she set Lovera on her way as she twisted and turned through the Shels defence before slotting the ball beyond McQuillan.
Davidson almost made it two as the ball fell perfectly for her in the box only for Shelbourne to clear off the line.
Moments later it was two when Davidson broke forward and managed to find the net from the tightest of angles – her first Champions League goal for City.
Morgan Rees then forced another stop out of Gibson before a break from a Shelbourne freekick almost resulted in a third for City but substitute Emily Whelan’s effort was saved.
Shelbourne did have one last chance as Murray put a shot over in stoppage time but it wasn’t enough as City progressed.
Match information
Team lines
Glasgow City: Gibson, Muir (Warrington 87), Fulton, Lovera (Colvill 87), Motlhalo, Davidson, Kozak (Gambone 73), Sullivan (Whelan 73), Moore, Weir, Foley. Subs not used: Clachers, Lauder, Walsh, Love, Wardlaw, Forrest, Oscarsson, Martin.
Shelbourne: McQuillan, Keenan, Slattery, Doyle (Letmon 70), Kavanagh (Moore 70), Graham (Healy 70), Murray, Smith-Lynch (Devereux 82), Pierce, Gray, Rees (Quinn 70). Subs not used: Maguire, Clare, White Maguire, Riley, Shirazi, Graverson, O’Rourke.
Scorers
Glasgow City: Lovera 54’, Davidson 65’
Yellow cards
Shelbourne: Murray 33’
Referee: Ifeoma Kulmala
Venue: Siauliai Central Stadium