Celtic kept the Scottish Women’s Premier League title race open with a thrilling 3-1 comeback win over leaders Glasgow City in front of a record-breaking crowd at Celtic Park.
With 9,553 spectators watching, Fran Alonso’s side put on a dominant second-half display to move back up to second on goal difference and close the gap at the top to two points.
The first 45 minutes saw Glasgow City enjoy the best of the match and they got the opening goal through SWPL top scorer Lauren Davidson. The Scottish forward capitalized on a Chloe Craig mistake before slipping past the last defender and firing past Pamela Tajonar. It was Davidson’s 30th goal in all competitions and his 26th in the league.
City could have doubled their lead before the break, Priscilla Chinchilla shifted the ball well with her right foot inside the box, but Tajonar comfortably held off her effort.
Celtic came out of the traps quickly and nearly equalized seven minutes after the restart. A Jacynta free-kick was not well received by Lee Gibson, but the keeper corrected her error with a fine save to deny Natasha Flint. Fortunately for City, with the ball loose, Caitlin Hayes’ effort was deflected.
With an hour on the clock and enjoying the majority of possession, Celtic finally found an equalizer. The ball from the right landed on Amy Gallacher who passed it on the edge of the box to Flint. The loan forward ran for the ball before firing it low and past Gibson’s outstretched arms. With the momentum with the home team, they had several chances in a short period with Gibson preserving the 1-1 score.
The goal that gave Celtic the lead came with 15 minutes remaining. With the pressure mounting, Claire O’Riordan’s header from a corner deflected past a Glasgow City player and into the net to the delight of the Celtic support behind goal. It was only her second goal in the league but it could be one of the most important of the 111 she has scored in the 2022/23 season.
A record 9,553 spectators watched as Celtic beat Glasgow City 3-1
In a complete turnaround, Celtic sealed victory with seven minutes remaining. A long-ball forward found the speedy Kit Loferski, who calmly grabbed the ball on the run before slipping it past Gibson.
The result puts Celtic back above Rangers on goal difference, both teams now two points behind leaders Glasgow City. The top three are avoided on Sunday before Rangers host Glasgow City on the final day of the season, which many will see as a potentially title-deciding game.
Celtic have closed the gap to two points
Rangers 3-0 Particle Thistle
Forest ranger kept their title hopes alive after beating partick thistle 3-0 at home on Wednesday.
The Jags pushed Celtic all the way on Sunday before suffering a late defeat, but could not match their heroism in a tough game where Rangers dominated throughout.
Despite the chances and the hit on the crossbar, Rangers only opened the scoring just before half time. Lizzie Arnot, who scored her only goal against Hibs on Sunday, heading in a Rachel McLauchlan cross.
Rangers doubled their lead with an hour on the clock, Kirsty Howat firing after the ball finally landed at her feet from a corner. Six minutes later, McLauchlan was again involved with the Rangers’ third as she won the penalty for her team. Tessel Middag put the ball into the net despite a handball from Khym Ramsay.
Heart of Midlothian 2-1 Hibernian
hearts they ensured they would take the final bragging rights of the season with a narrow win over their Edinburgh rivals Irish.
The Jambos were already guaranteed to finish fourth in the SWPL, but the derby day win capped an impressive season under Eva Olid.
Erin Rennie opened the scoring after 22 minutes in a sold-out Oriam before Aimee Anderson doubled her lead before half-time with a streak shot into the top corner from 30 yards.
Hibs reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart when Katie Lockwood pulled one back with a towering header, and nearly inspired a spectacular comeback, with Siobhan Hunter’s late header forcing a crucial save from Hearts goalkeeper Charlotte Parker -Smith.
The win moved Hearts 13 points clear of Hibernian, who remain four points clear of Partick Thistle in sixth with two games remaining.
Hamilton Academic 2-4 Spartans
spartans continued their unbeaten run since the split with a comfortable 4-2 away win at hamilton academicwhich put a dent in Accies’s hopes of survival.
Becky Galbraith opened the scoring with her 13th goal of the season on 22 minutes and their lead was doubled seven minutes before half-time when Simone McMahon scored directly from a corner.
There were four second-half goals as Hamilton Accies reduced the deficit first through Lucy Sinclair, but the Spartans scored the next two goals to restore their healthy lead with goals from Hannah Jordan and Louise Mason, before MT Gardiner netted a goal of consolation for Accies.
Accies remain two points behind Dundee United after their last loss to Aberdeen, while Spartans regained their four-point lead over Motherwell in the battle for seventh place.
Aberdeen 1-0 Dundee United
aberdeen secured their place in the SWPL for 2023/24 after a late goal at Balmoral against dundee united put them out of reach of the relegation play-off.
In a game rarely played, the only goal came through Aberdeen’s top scorer Bayley Hutchison’s 11th of the season.
Aberdeen are now seven points clear of Hamilton Academical, who sit in the relegation play-off spot. Dundee United still lead by two points, but face Glasgow Women, who have failed to score points this season.
Glasgow Women 0-3 Motherwell
motherwell returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats with a 3-0 win at Glasgow on Tuesday.
It took just four minutes to open the scoring against relegated Glasgow via Carla Boyce’s 14th goal of the season, before Louisa Boyes secured victory with a brace before halftime.
Motherwell’s win narrowed the gap to the Spartans momentarily before the four point lead was restored with their win over Hamilton Accies. Glasgow Women continues to search for their first points with two games left in the season.
