Scottish Women’s Premier League Heathryfold Park, Aberdeen Sunday, March 16, 2014 ABERDEEN…0 CELTIC…5 (Harrison 12, 61, 81, Fleeting 70, og 59) CELTIC Women’s opening game of the 2014 summer season was a landmark occasion for several players. Rhonda Jones and Chloe Arthur celebrated their 50th appearances while Lois Heuchan made her first start. Swedish signings Nanna Jansson and Pernilla Johannsson also made their first appearances in the second half. The Hoops struggled to come to terms with the grass pitch early in the game and found difficulty finding any momentum. However, after the breakthrough on 12 minutes, the Hoops settled into the game and a hat-trick from Abi Harrison helped them on their way to a comfortable 5-0 victory. The opening goal arrived when Harrison latched on to a Fay through-ball and finished well from 25 yards. Aberdeen, though, were the better team for the remainder of the first half without really looking like scoring. Changes were made at half-time, with Jones replacing the injured Brownlie and Johansson making her debut. The second half saw the team move the ball at a much sharper tempo and they deserved to double their lead on 59 minutes after quick play from Sinclair and Harrison resulted in an Aberdeen defender turning the ball past her advancing keeper. The second goal saw Celtic grow in confidence and kill off the game when Harrison gathered a Fleeting flick-on to grab her second of the game just after the hour mark. The understanding between Fleeting and Harrison again delivered the goods, with Jansson linking with Harrison and the youngster drove at the Dons’ defence to play in her strike partner Fleeting to slot home from an acute angle. Harrison completed her hat-trick on 81 minutes after Jackson reversed the ball past the Aberdeen full-back and Harrison again drove into the box and had no hesitation slotting it home. The team was delighted to leave such a difficult venue with three points and a clean sheet after a slow start. The players demonstrated that they have the ability to lift their performance when required and are now looking forward to the first home game of the season this weekend. Manager David Haley said: “To win any game by five goals is pleasing and it was an extremely positive start to the SWPL campaign. In particular, during the second half we really showed we have quality throughout the squad. “The pitch made it difficult for us to pass the ball in the manner in which we normally do, and the players took a bit of time to adjust to the conditions. “However, the impressive second-half display with significant performances from the substitutes saw us get the result we desired and deserved. We hope to continue with this form in our next game against Hutchison Vale.” Celtic: Fay, Arthur, Brownlie (Jones 45), Clark, Craig, Fleeting, Gilmour-McGuire (Jackson 75), Harrison, Heuchan (Johansson 45), Richards, Sinclair (Jansson 70). Subs not used: Logan, O´Neill HH -PP-
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:43:29 +0000
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