East Fife 0
Celtic 6
(Ewens 13, 20, 28, Ross 35, Mulvey 46, Crilly 55)
Celtic progressed comfortably through to the last 16 of the SSE Scottish Cup with a dominating performance that saw them score six goals away at opponents East Fife.
The Hoops started brightly on the fantastic grass surface and they began moving the ball well straight from the kick off. With Richards, Crilly and Howat all producing crosses into the box and Ross and Mulvey linking up well, East Fife were having to defend in numbers, throw bodies in the way and make many clearing headers just to survive the opening minutes.
In the 13th minute Celtic did eventually take the lead when McFarlane won a header after a goal kick and it was Ewens who reacted first, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly placed the ball into the net.
It was more than the side deserved and despite Newbigging from East Fife having a good run and shot it was a good opening 15 minutes.
Ewens added to the score after 20 minutes after she received a pass from Howat inside the box and calmly placed the ball to the side of the keeper. She added a third to complete her hat-trick just before the half-hour mark after great work by Mulvey who crossed for Ewens to head the ball into the net.
Celtic continued to dominate possession and create opportunities and the fourth goal came 10 minutes before the break after a neat one-two between Ross and Mulvey put Ross through on goal and she placed the ball past the keeper with her left foot and Celtic were comfortable leaders at half time.
If the quick start in the first half was impressive the start of the second was even more so after Mulvey added a fifth goal with just 20 seconds on the clock. A great diagonal ball by Howat put Mulvey through and she lobbed the ball over the outrushing keeper. Howat was the creator again for the sixth goal after a lovely cross from the left was headed home by Crilly to make it 6-0.
With the Hoops making a number of second-half changes, including young Rachel Connor who made her first-team debut and performed well , the game began to peter out and despite having further possession and numerous opportunities, Celtic failed to add to the score.
Celtic will be pleased with the scoreline and getting back to playing aggressive and creative football. East Fife defended well in the second half and limited the Hoops’ further opportunities but overall it was a dominating performance by Celtic and sets them up well for their next game against Glasgow City.
Celtic: Cunningham, Richards, Hodges, Clark (Poucel), Fitzsimmons, McFarlane (Middleton), Ross (Dalgliesh), Crilly, Howat, (Connor) Mulvey (Whyte), Ewens. Sub not used Rafferty.
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