A mature, professional and powerful team performance was how Celtic Ladies’ Coach, Brian Delaney, described the Hoops’ emphatic 6-0 home win over Hibernian on Sunday. Three goals in each half, including a late double from substitute and former Hibee, Suzanne Malone, sealed the vital three points for the Celts and keeps them ahead of Spartans in the league. Five points separate the sides, although, Spartans have a game in hand. They both remain unbeaten in the league and it is sure to be an intriguing encounter when they face each other on Sunday week.

Celtic took the game to Hibs from the off and the Edinburgh outfit cracked under the pressure inside 10 minutes. Christie Murray robbed Hollie Thompson of possession on the edge of the Hibs’ box and the forward expertly chipped the keeper with ease. The Edinburgh side tried to respond and were unlucky not to find an equaliser five minutes later. They swung in a free-kick from the right and Hayley Cunningham got on the end of a flick-on, but the former Celtic striker’s effort rebounded off the upright and away to safety. The Hoops kept their composure, however, and got a second goal from a corner on the 20-minute mark. Jenny Beattie rose above the Hibs’ defence and powered her header past the helpless Laura Connolly in goal.

The home side took control of the match and dominated their opponents for the duration. Hibs could do nothing to stop the Hoops, who proved too much to handle, converting only some of their excellent build-up play. They found the net for a third time before the interval, ending the game as a contest, with a goal of sheer brilliance. Pauline Hamill flicked the ball with her heel into the path of Leanne Crichton, and the midfielder held off her marker, brushed past another Hibs defender and clipped the ball over Connolly with great precision.

The visitors applied pressure on the Hoops in the second period, as they tried to impose themselves on the game, but it was to no avail, as the Celts soaked it up before increasing the tempo and firing in another few goals. Claire Johnstone was equal to anything Hibs could throw at her and she did well to thwart Kirsty McBride early on. The keeper stood tall to deny McBride from point-blank range and ensure another clean sheet for her side. In the 73rd minute, Murray exchanged passes with Jo Love on the right, before chipping the ball through to Malone, who found the net from 12-yards for goal number four.

The substitute then turned provider five minutes later, when she showed good footwork in the penalty area, before delivering to the feet of Hamill, who made no mistake with the tap-in. Malone then rounded off the scoring and an impressive substitute’s display with three minutes of the match remaining. Fellow sub Karen McInally, nodded the ball into the striker’s path and Malone coolly slotted past Connolly.

After the match Celtic coach Delaney commented :- “It was a strong team performance, where we showed great maturity and dominated the game. We were really impressed with how the team handled the pressure when Hibs came at us. Overall, we’re absolutely delighted with a superb result, scoring six goals and keeping a clean sheet.”

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Celtic grabbed another three points in the race for the title as they thrashed Hibernian Ladies 6-0 at Celtic’s Lennoxtown Training Facility. What sounds like a one sided affair, was actually a compelling game, which highlighted the importance of taking chances when they come your way.

Hibs started off the brighter team, controlling the opening passages of play, but could only muster one shot from McBride to show for all their possession.
Celtic took the lead against the run of play, when a stray pass in defence allowed Murray to latch on and chip the ball over the exposed Hibs keeper. Hibs continued their aesthetic display, and nearly got an equaliser when Cook headed on a free-kick but Cunningham hit the post. This miss would prove costly. Celtic broke and won their first corner of the match. The set piece was powerfully headed home by Beattie.

Celtic found their rhythm and grew in confidence. They really took the game to their opponents and their dominance resulted in a third goal. Crighton brilliantly collected a pass in the box, eased past the last defender and slotted the ball past the keeper. Hibs, looking disheartened by the three goal deficit they had to overcome, could only conjure one shot for the remainder of the half as Celtic completely ran the show. Had it not been for last ditch tackles and fluffed shots, the score would have read a lot worse for Hibs.

In the second half Hibs again started well, but faded away after five minutes as Celtic bossed the game dictating play, and controlling the tempo. Hibs were limited to long range shots which hardly tested Johnstone in goal. Celtic looked like the only team that would score and they did on 73 minutes. Malone, who had earlier come on for Scott, raced through to a flick on from Murray to poke the ball past the once again exposed goalkeeper. Hibs finally had a shot on target but it was easily parried away by Johnstone.

Celtic took only five minutes to score a fifth when Hammill found herself all alone in the box to easily strike the ball into the back of the net. Celtic then slowed the whole game down with only 10 minutes left as they kept and spread the ball creating only a few goal scoring opportunities. They added a sixth in the 90th minute when Malone struck her second of the game after some nice play.

Celtic deserved all three points after a great performance and are now looking forward to their next game away to 2nd placed Spartans.

Starting line-ups :-

Celtic Ladies :-

1.Johnstone 2.McMillan 4. Beattie 5.Pengalse 6.Love 7.Stokes 8.Hammill 12.Scott 16.Murray 17.Crighton 19.Robertson
Subs: 9.Malone 10.McInally 14.Seagrave 15.James 20.Ferguson

Hibernian Ladies :-

1.Connolly 2.Robertson 3.Cook 4.Brown 7.Burns 8.McBride 10.Kennedy 17.Murray 19.Thompson 24.Cunningham 26.Jones
Subs: 5.Whitelaw 6.Hunter 12.McMullen