Ghirls fall to first reverse in SWPL

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Celtic F.C.

·14 October 2024

Ghirls fall to first reverse in SWPL

SWPL Sunday, October 13, 2024The Oriam

HEARTS…1

OneFootball Videos

(Jardine 35)

CELTIC…0

Celtic FC Women suffered their first domestic defeat of the campaign on Sunday after losing out 1-0 against Hearts in the SWPL.

A first-half goal from Kayla Jardine was enough to separate the two teams, with the home side taking all three points away.

Fresh off the back of a first ever group stage outing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Ghirls’ focus quickly switched back to league duties.

Heading through to the capital, it has proved to be a tough venue for teams travelling to the Oriam.

And that appeared to be the case from the off, with the home side looking to frustrate Elena Sadiku’s squad.

The Hoops looked to make a quick start, getting the first shot off on goal through Maria McAneny, but she couldn’t quite hit the target with her powerful strike.

Leading the line on Sunday afternoon, Morgan Cross was looking to use her pace in behind, almost linking up with Mathilde Carstens on a few occasions, but the final ball just didn’t seem to be coming off.

Emma Lawton was also trying to create down the right-hand side, almost finding Carstens, with the cutback. But it was just out of the reach of the attacking midfielder.

With it being a pretty even affair in the opening 45 minutes, it was the home side who would strike first with the opening goal.

Working the ball from defence to attack, a strike from just inside the area by Kayla Jardine landed in the back of the net, aided by a deflection which gave Kelsey Daugherty no chance between the sticks.

With a big 45 minutes to come in the second half, Elena Sadiku quickly made changes with three at the break, and a further two subs on the hour mark.

The return to action for the likes of Amy Gallacher and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford looked to cause trouble with Celtic putting the pressure on in the second half.

Fellow substitutes Saoirse Noonan and Murphy Agnew were also looking to have an impact, with the Irish forward having a few half chances, but she just couldn’t quite hit the target.

After putting on pressure via set pieces, and a few openings in the second 45 minutes, a chance to level the scoring fell the way of Noonan in stoppage time. But she just couldn’t quite control the cutback into the box.

It ended in unfortunate defeat for the Ghirls, in what was a disappointing afternoon for Sadiku and her squad.

Although the Celts won’t be dwelling too much on that result, with another big game on the horizon as they return to European action against Real Madrid on Thursday.