Clark leads Celtic heroics with last-gasp winner over the Champions
Report / Image: Celtic FC
Temperatures hit fever pitch in the pouring rain as captain Kelly Clark struck gold to clinch all three points with the final kick of the ball in a dramatic season opener against champions Glasgow City.
It was the second win in as many games over the 13-in-a-row SWPL1 championship holders, with the Hoops coming from a goal down through Sarah Ewens and Clark to register a 2-1 win in a breathless night as they marked their first league game as a professional side.
Celtic had the better of the chances throughout the first half and were unlucky to go into the break on level terms.
Anita enjoyed the opening chance as she watched her flicking header bounce off the post, before Ewens looked to claim an early lead.
Celtic carved out numerous chances with Sarah Teegarden’s dipping shot from in front of goal that crashed off the crossbar after 26 minutes showing the hosts’ intent.
But it was City took the lead immediately after the restart. Clare Shine stabbed home at the back post after the visitors won an early corner, to the disappointment of the dominant Celts.
But just two later, it was all to play for again, as Ewens danced down the left to cut in and send a sensational effort from range over Alexander and into the top corner to stun the visitors.
Celtic looked to have taken the lead on the 76th, as Josephine Giard converted Lisa Robertson’s freekick, but it was waved away after Teegarden was found to have fouled the onrushing Alexander.
The hosts were hungry for a winner, with Robertson testing Alexander, and Jodie Bartle watching on as her strike from distance drifted by to keep it at 1-1 with extra time approaching.
But relentless Celtic broke to drive out their own box with mere seconds in the clock, seeing Ewens forcing a corner to give the Hoops one last bite at the cherry. Leanne Crichton knocked Robertson’s delivery down, but it only went as far as Clark, who took a clever touch before drilling her half volley right into the bottom corner to snatch the three points at the death.
Rapturous celebrations ensued in the horrific conditions at K-Park as Celtic opened their 2020 SWPL1 account with a dramatic, but well-deserved victory.
Logan, Bartle, Craig, Warrington, Ross, Robertson, Teegarden (Brenda 72), Clark, Ewens, Green, Anita (Giard, 66)
Subs: Kerr, Donaldson, Nicolson, McAllister, McGovern
