Fran Alonso’s Celtic comfortably progressed to the semi-final of the Sky Sports Cup with a 3-0 win over reigning SWPL champions Glasgow City.
Natalie Ross gave them an early cushion before Alonso’s side ramped it up in the second period with further goals from Amy Gallacher and Kit Loferski, who marked her return from injury with the sweetest strike of the night.
It is a result that adds to Glasgow City’s woes. Leanne Ross’ side currently trail Rangers by eight points and Celtic by seven in the league, albeit that they have a game in hand over both.
The nature of this game, however, would suggest that there is a malaise within the Petershill camp with their second half showing in particular well off the pace of what would have been expected.
They had, in actual fact, started the game brightly with Hayley Lauder fashioning a decent chance in the opening stages before Celtic took control.
Natalie Ross got them up and running with a header after Murphy Agnew had delivered a ball deep into the box that City failed to deal with.
Celtic thought they had doubled their lead shortly after with the ‘goal’ chopped off after referee Thomas Denholm blew for a foul on City keeper Lee Gibson from Paula Partido. There looked little in the offence with the whistler offering a reprieve for the visitors.
Celtic’s frustrations grew further when they felt they were denied a decent shout for a penalty. As they continued to probe, Gibson pulled off a fabulous fingertip save to push to keep Celtic out.
City rallied to force Kelsey Daugherty into a strong save from Brenna Lovera, who ought to have done better from close range.
Emily Whelan also sent a header sailing over the bar after a fabulous run and delivery on the right from Lauren Davidson.
Celtic started the second period as they had the first as they added their second of the night to compound City’s task.
Ross turned provider this time as she whipped in a corner that Gibson punched tentatively. It landed straight at the feet of Gallacher who simply converted from close range.
As City crumbled, Celtic turned the screw. Loferski added their third, the pick of the bunch, as she outpaced Kenzi Weir before lifting the ball from just inside the box over the advancing Gibson with the outside of her right boot.
