Dominant Celts reach UWCL group stage after victory over Vorskla

UWCL
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Albert Bartlett Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC…2
(Lawton 52, McGregor 62)

VORSKLA POLTAVA…0

Celtic FC Women made history at the Albert Bartlett stadium in Airdrie tonight (Thursday) as they defeated Vorskla Poltava 2-0 (3-0 on aggregate) and booked their place in the group stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time.

Elena Sadiku made only one change to her starting XI from the team that defeated Vorskla in the first leg on Sunday, with the injured Hana Kerner being replaced by Emma Lawton.

The Hoops looked to start the match on the front foot and they had the first shot at goal, with Murphy Agnew, the goalscorer in the first leg, having a shot from outside the box in the second minute which Samson, the Vorskla keeper, was able to hold.

In the 13^th minute, Emma Lawton was fouled in the middle of the park, however the referee deemed the challenge a fair one. The turnover in possession allowed Vorskla the chance to attack for the first time in the match, with the shot from Kalinina saved by Daugherty.

With just over 20 minutes played, Celtic were forced to defend again, this time the experienced Caitlin Hayes was able to turn a dangerous through ball behind for a Vorskla corner which the Celts dealt with easily.

Just before the half hour mark, a good counter attack, which was started after a great spin by Shannon McGregor in the middle of the park, allowed Emma Lawton to deliver a good cross in to the box which Samson had to be quick off of her line to collect.

There was a big penalty claim with 30 minutes played after Murphy Agnew, who had used her pace to catch up with a through ball from Lawton, was brought down by the Vorskla keeper, however the referee felt that the keeper had won the ball.

Lawton, who was causing problems for Vorskla on the right hand side throughout the first half, had a massive opportunity to open the scoring in the 42^nd minute, with her low curling shot from inside the box kept out of the net by the diving Vorskla keeper.

Amy Gallacher had the first big chance of the second half, however, her effort from the right-hand side of the penalty area a few minutes after the restart drifted just wide of the post.

The Celts took the lead just after the 50 minute mark after a brilliant cross in from Lucy Ashworth-Clifford on the left wing was met by Emma Lawton. Lawton, who had looked to be a threat to Vorskla from the start, nodded the ball in to the net to give Elena Sadiku’s side a two goal lead on aggregate.

Murphy Agnew almost doubled Celtic’s lead in the 57^th minute when she directed a shot towards goal from inside the box, however the opposition keeper was able to hang on to it.

The Celts looked the far better team in the early stages of the second half and with 60 minutes on the clock, a cut back across the box from Amy Gallacher gave Emma Lawton the chance to grab her second goal of the night, however her effort was blocked by a determined Vorskla defence.

With 62 minutes played, Shannon McGregor gave the Hoops total control of the match as she bulleted a header in to the net from an excellent Murphy Agnew cross to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

As well as an impressive attacking display in the second period, when called upon, the Celts’ defence was resolute, with the experience of Kelly Clark and Caitlin Hayes giving Elena Sadiku’s side an assurance at the back.

In the middle of the park for the Celts, Natalie Ross and Colette Cavanagh battled for every ball and spoiled the majority of Vorskla’s attacking moves through the middle, with both players pivotal to the Celts’ dominant second half display.

Vorskla had a chance to pull a goal back in the 81^st minute when Kotyk managed to have a strike from close range but Kelsey Daugherty reacted quickly and touched the ball wide of the target.

Radionova then had a chance from 12 yards out with five minutes left to play, however she blazed her effort well over the bar.

Kit Loferski almost made it 3-0 to the Celts in the 91^st minute when she linked up with Saoirse Noonan who threaded a pass in to the box which Loferski was able to latch on to, however her subsequent effort drifted wide of the target.

When the full-time whistle went and another piece of Celtic history had been made, the joy amongst the Celtic players, staff and supporters was palpable.

Elena Sadiku and her side will find out their UWCL group stage opponents tomorrow (Friday) as they look ahead to Sunday’s SWPL Cup match away to Montrose.

CELTIC: Daugherty, Hayes, Clark, Bruna, Lawton, Ashworth-Clifford, Ross, Cavanagh, McGregor, Gallacher, AgnewSubs: Rodgers, Barclais, Richardson, S.Carstens, M.Carstens, Cross, Noonan, Loferski, McAneny

VORSKLA POLTAVA: Samson, Podolska, Korsun, Kotyk, Shainiuk, Kotiash, Kalinina, Davydenko, Osipyan, Radionova, Kravchuck
Subs: Kharchenko, Levystka, Kumeda, Kravets, Voit, Tarasiuk, Ailinkyi, Taleb, Savka