#SBSSWPL1: Spartans FC v Celtic FC
Celts produce another five-star performance
Spartans…1
(Gibb)
Celtic…5
(Kelly Clark 32, Sarah Ewens 46, 50, 89, Josephine Giard 57)
CELTIC ensured they entered the final weekend of the 2019 season level on points with Hibernian, after another Sarah Ewens-inspired victory sealed the Hoops’ fourth win on the bounce.
Report / Image: Celtic FC
Kelly Clark opened the scoring in the rescheduled fixture before Ewens converted her first hat-trick of the season as Josephine Giard made it four goals in four games for herself. Caley Gibb did pull one back for the hosts to make it 2-1, but the dominant Hoops made sure they left the capital with another comprehensive victory.
Celtic travelled to the capital to make up their abandoned 0-0 draw looking to continue their fine goal scoring form and pick up a vital three points as the final week of the season looms.
The Hoops had chances to go ahead early and Ewens could have had her first of the day after six minutes, as she drew Rachel Harrison off her line and placed her strike over her. It looked goal-bound but a heroic stretch on the line from Ronaigh Douglas kept the game level.
However, the breakthrough eventually came in the 32nd minute after a long period of pressure, as Clark nodded in Cara McBrearty’s corner at the back post. And, in added time, Ewens doubled the lead, stabbing home from inside the box after Natalie Ross delivered into the area.
Just four minutes into the second half the hosts drew one back, as Michaela MacAlonie found herself in space on the right to find Gibb whose effort went in with the help of the post. However, just seconds later, the Celts produced a perfect response as they broke to see Ewens power forward and strike across goal.
Shortly before the hour mark, Giard put the game to bed as she buried her shot from close range from the deep and low cross.
And the pick of the bunch came at the death with Ewens registering her hat-trick with her best of the day in the 89th minute. McGovern split the Spartans defence with a low ball, to see Ewens cut in and dink her effort across and over Harrison to cap off another comprehensive win for the Hoops.
Celtic: Cunningham, Black (Reside), Clark, C Craig, McBrearty, Ross (Hay), Henderson, Donaldson, Giard, Ewens, McGovern
Subs: Logan, Hodges, E Craig
