Ghirls deliver 5-star home performance | OneFootball

SWPL Sunday, November 24, 2024New Douglas ParkCELTIC…5(Gallacher 20, Noonan 56, 58, 82, Lawton 62)

MONTROSE…1(Brown 12)

Celtic FC Women bounced back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, after running out 5-1 winners against Montrose.

Despite falling behind early on in the first half, the Hoops remained composed and fought back to secure all three points heading into the international break.

With the final international break of 2024 on the horizon, the Ghirls were back to league duties at New Douglas Park.

Following Wednesday’s European exploits against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Hoops were aiming to bounce back to winning ways.

And early on, they went on the front foot to try and grab a quick goal with a series of corners in the opening stages.

However, it was in fact the away side who would make the quick start, opening the scoring inside 12 minutes.

Chasing down a long ball over the top, a looping volley from inside the area gave Lisa Rodgers no chance as Montrose made the scoring 1-0.

The Celts quickly looked to respond, and almost produced a quick-fire equaliser, with Emma Lawton seeing an effort cleared off the line.

The Ghirls didn’t have to wait much longer for the leveller though as Amy Gallacher scored Celtic’s equaliser.

After a series of efforts were blocked inside the area, the number seven was on hand to turn home from close range and level up the scoring.

It was a dominant first half display from the Hoops, but they just couldn’t take anything away from it, with some passes not seeming to click.

Towards the end of the half, two chances fell the way of Saoirse Noonan and Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who just missed the target and hit the crossbar respectively.

With the game still all square heading into the second half, the Ghirls put in a strong second half performance to make sure it wouldn’t remain that way at full-time.

Scoring her first of three on the afternoon, Saoirse Noonan was on hand to fire Celtic into the lead just over ten minutes into the half.

After a corner was headed goal bound by Caitlin Hayes, the Irish forward reacted quickest inside the area to strike the ball home.

It didn’t take long for Celtic and the forward to add to that tally, with a third goal soon following just two minutes later.

Following a brilliant interchange which seen the play swing from left to right, Noonan nodded the ball home from close range after a superb pinpoint delivery from Ashworth-Clifford.

The second half goals kept coming for Celtic as Emma Lawton added a fourth just a matter of moments later.

This time, an accurate delivery from Luana looked to be just out of reach for the wing-back. But, on the stretch, she appeared to get a touch on the ball to help it home.

With the Celts pilling on the pressure in the second half, the scoring was rounded off by Noonan late on, who completed her hat-trick.

Grabbing her third trio of the campaign, the Irish forward produced a smart finish to make it 5-1 and seal the three points in style.

Following an extremely busy period in the season, it was a good way for Elena Sadiku’s side to head into the international break, with all three points in the bag.