It was a sickening end to an outstanding display from the women of steel, as Celtic struck late into stoppage time to seal victory under the floodlights of the Kirkintilloch Sports Complex on Friday evening.
An intensely fought performance had Motherwell pushing for the decisive winner in the latter stages, but they ultimately couldn’t resist the Celtic breakthrough. The hosts countered with the final opportunity of the game, converting from a fortuitous mis-hit delivery into the box – consigning the visitors to defeat.
Head Coach, Iain Robinson named six changes to his starting XI, with Emergency-loanee Jeni Currie lining up in goal ahead of youngster Kayla Scott, who impressed last weekend. The backline remained unchanged, with Shannon Leishman, Chelsie Watson, Ellie MacDonald, and Leah Sidey completing the back-four.
Lucy Ronald, Eva Thomson and Lucy Sinclair all returned into the midfield three, with Mason Clark and Kodie Hay occupying either flank. Carla Boyce returned ahead of Morgan Anderson to lead the line.
Despite Celtic’s early grip on possession, Motherwell carved out numerous opportunities in the first-half. Boyce recorded the first opportunity of the contest, cutting onto her stronger right-foot, before striking towards goal, but goalkeeper Adelaide Gay calmly gathered.
Minutes later, Boyce again forced Gay into a smart save. A whipped delivery across the face of goal was met by Boyce, who rose highest in the box, but her headed effort was parried clear.
Motherwell continued to thrive on the counter-attack, with Thomson recording Motherwell’s third opportunity and Gay’s third save in the opening 10-minutes, after striking from the edge of the box.
It took until the half hour mark for Celtic to create their first opportunity on-goal, with Mono Nakao’s strike falling wide of the post. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock seconds before the break, with Currie producing an exceptional last-ditch save to deny Isabella Fisher.
As the second-half resumed, Motherwell continued to threaten, and should’ve deservedly taken the lead.
Defender Chelsie Watson’s strike sailed over the head of Gay before rattling the crossbar, as Motherwell continued to push for an historic result.
Substitute, Sophie Rutherford again tested the palms of the Celtic stopper minutes later, with gay parrying the youngsters attempt.
As Motherwell pressed for a decisive winner, Mary Stanić-Floody almost netted a magnificent breakthrough. The Serbian international caught Gay far from her goalline, and attempted to chip the Celtic goalkeeper, but the American quickly recovered.
In the dying stages of the game, Motherwell’s resistance was eventually broken. Shannon McGregor’s mis-hit delivery from the right flank sailed over the head of Currie before nestling into the bottom-left corner.
A sickening end for the women of steel, who merited a point from the game at the very least.
