Fine margins can make or break a league campaign. One such example came over at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium on Wednesday night as Celtic FC Women were leading Hibs by a goal to nil going into the closing stages.
A massive impact on the destination of the title
Meanwhile over at The Oriam in Riccarton, Edinburgh the fast improving Hearts side were also holding onto to a 1-0 lead against the then SWPL1 leaders theRangers Women. The outcome of the closing stages in both games could have a massive impact on the destination of the title this season.
A big Celtic turn-out is needed
Hearts held on and they will be tough opponents for Elena Sadiku’s Celtic side this Sunday afternoon at Celtic Park where a big Celtic turn-out is needed.
But so too did Celtic FC Women, just. The dangers of a 1-0 scoreline are well known, the sucker punch is always a threat and the closer to the final whistle the greater the chance of that happening. Hibs had done well to deny Celtic the comfort of a second goal, Cavanagh hit the bar, Flint the post and the Goal Machine really should have scored when it was put on a plate by Kit Loferski.
A gut-wrenching Hibs equaliser looked certain
Then it happened. The visitors combined well down the left-hand side, the cross ball was inch perfect and a gut-wrenching Hibs equaliser looked certain.
The Celtic crowd knew that theRangers were losing and if Celtic could hang on to the lead we’d go top – and that was a highly unlikely possibility the day Elena Sadiku walked in the front door at Celtic Park to replace Fran Alonso.
Kelsey Daugherty made a vital save
But the wonderful Celtic FC Women Kelsey Daugherty was there to make the vital save, one we might look back on in a few weeks time as a defining moment of the season. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards and you can see one of her coaching staff whisper in Elena Sadiku’s ear, telling her the result from Edinburgh. Watch this all unfold below…
Leapfrogging theRangers
The Celtic support turned to the Celtic version of The Carpenters, amended to suit the women’s team, leapfrogging theRangers as the summit of the SWPL1
“We’re on the top of the league, looking down on theRangers, it’s the only explanation I can find. It’s the form we have found since Elena’s been around that has put us on the top of the league.”
Celtic FC Women’s 100% post split record
That result also meant that Sadiku’s team maintains their 100% post split record, with only Hearts to play at Paradise before the fixtures flip. There’s also the matter of the Scottish Cup semi-final (maybe a final before the final) at Hampden Park a week on Saturday (27 April).
Celtic FC Women’s remaining six SWPL1 fixtures are as follows, with TWO matches being at Celtic Park, starting this Sunday…
1. SUNDAY 21 APRIL – Celtic FC Women v Hearts – Celtic Park, Kick-off 4.10pm
2. WEDNESDAY 1st MAY – Celtic FC Women v Glasgow City, Excelsior (Airdrie), Kick-off 6.10pm
3. MONDAY 6th MAY – Rangers Women v Celtic FC Women, Broadwood (Cumbernauld), Kick-off 12 Noon.
4. SUNDAY 12 MAY – Celtic FC Women v Partick Thistle, Excelsior (Airdrie), Kick-off 2pm
5. WEDNESDAY 15 MAY – Hearts Women v Celtic, Oriam (Edinburgh), Kick-off 7.45pm
6. SUNDAY 19 MAY – Celtic FC Women v Hibs, Celtic Park, Kick-off TBC
Here’s how the table looks at the moment and the situation is rather similar to the Scottish Premiership in terms of the destination of the title.
Celtic FC Women are ahead by two points and can win their remaining games and a draw against theRangers Women at Cumbernauld will be fine. Elena Sadiku will be looking for the win though.
Last Day Title Drama – This Time with a Happy Ending!
That last game against Hibs is at Celtic Park and after the last day drama and disappointment, Celtic Park could well be celebrating a title triumph, the first ever for our women’s team.
Try and get along on Sunday afternoon to Celtic Park for the game against Hearts. Tickets are really cheap and it will be a great family day out. Links below. the league table which makes LOVELY reading…
COYGIG
