Europa Cup: Glasgow City dominate Ireland’s Athlone Town in first leg | OneFootball

Glasgow City triumphed 3-0 over visitors Athlone Town in the first qualifying round of their Europa Cup campaign.

It was a miserable night in Glasgow, but torrential rain didn’t deter hometown fans who packed Petershill Park. Fresh from the disappointment of a Champions League knockout, City had everything to prove on their next foray in European football.

Starting XIs

Glasgow City

Alexander (C); Muir; Golob; McLaughlin; Forrest; Harrison; Anderson; Evans; Smit; Motlhalo; Määttä

Athlone Town

Plaschko; Brennan; Shine; Brennan; Mcnally; Waesch; Brady; Molloy; Gibson (C); Slevin; Strickland

City edge out Athlone Town in cagey first half

The visitors couldn’t find form in the first ten, with a dominant home side holding possession but rarely threatening on goal. In the 11th minute, a stray Amy Anderson pass at the back gifted Athlone’s Kelly Brady a clear shot, which forced City skipper Lee Gibson into a save.

The brightness didn’t last. In the 14th minute, Finland’s Sofia Määttä’s cross found Amy Anderson’s right foot to put Glasgow City in front. Nevertheless, it was a far more even match-up than most would have predicted. Athlone Town showed a healthy amount of gumption away from home, but neither side found real momentum. The star of the show was the torrential rain which didn’t let up from kick-off to half-time whistle.

At the half, the hosts led 1-0.

Määttä magic sends City over the line

In the 55th minute, a further Määttä cross sent City 2-0 up through Linda Motlhalo, who slipped it past Megan Plaschko in goal. Just four minutes later, Määttä lined up Lisa Forrest for yet another tap-in to make it 3–0.

The goals shocked Athlone Town back to life, forcing Gibson into action time and time again, yet no white shirt could threaten on target. A flurry of substitutions around the 70th minute gave new life and a faster pace. Yet ultimately, City’s back line and Scotland’s number one keeper kept the game at bay.

The 3-0 lead gives The Original Trailblazers a comfortable buffer as they head into the second leg in Athlone on 17th September.

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