Celtic LFC v Edinburgh Ladies FC - Premier League - Sunday 23rd. March 2008

Celtic Ladies Hit Top Form With League Win

CELTIC Ladies took a massive step towards securing a top-three finish with an emphatic 5-0 victory over nearest rivals Edinburgh, the Hoops shrugging off injuries to striker Christie Murray and right-back Ashley McCallum.

But the fantastic performance and result was tempered by a foot injury to Leanne Crichton that will see her miss the remainder of the season.

Goals from Hayley Cunningham, Clare Gemmell, Becky Stokes and a brace from Suzanne Maloney have pushed Celtic into third place in the Premier League, two points ahead of Edinburgh and with a game in hand.

Cunningham opened the scoring with a 35-yard free kick after just four minutes, her low shot wrong-footing the keeper who was anticipating a cross.

Minutes later Jo Love was at the heart of some impressive build-up play and then swept the ball out to Becky Stokes on the right whose delivery was knocked home at the front post by Clare Gemmell.

The Hoops were in full control of the game with Claire Johnstone in goal having very little to do on a bitterly cold afternoon at Barrowfield, but after an outstanding first 20 minutes the Hoops seemed to relax and let Edinburgh back into the game.

However, they came out the blocks after the break more determined to finish the game off and on 52 minutes Becky Stokes soon put her name on the score-sheet with a fine half-volley that flew inside the post.

Play was held up due to the unfortunate injury to Leanne Crichton but Suzanne Maloney soon got the Hoops back on track with two carbon-copy finishes from inside the box.

Clare Gemmell and Jo Love respectively found the gaps to slip the ball through to Malone who showed great composure to lift the ball over the on-rushing keeper.

After the game a delighted manager John Holt explained that, while second place Glasgow City are probably out of reach, his side will push till the very end.

“The result against Edinburgh was huge,” he said, “and although City are probably going to forge ahead we will compete to the very end of the season.

“And considering the way we started the season I think the position we are in is fantastic. Today we played some good football and started very strongly.

“I was delighted with the goals we scored as we’ve been working hard at crossing and finishing at training and it came good today.

“However, I was disappointed that once we went two ahead in the first 20 minutes we took the foot off the accelerator and sat back. We had some words at half time and the second half picked up again.

“The injury to Leanne is a real concern. She has been on top form lately and we hope she recovers well.”

Kayleigh Cameron