Celtic beat Glasgow City to win Scottish Women's Cup

Celtic win in extra-time despite Jodie Bartle red card

Celtic beat Glasgow City 3-2 to win the Scottish Women's Cup after Isibeal Atkinson's extra-time winner settled a pulsating final at Tynecastle.

Deposed champions Glasgow City twice fought back from behind; Jenna Clark and Lauren Davidson cancelling out Megyu Shen and Charlie Wellings.

Celtic then had Jodie Bartle red carded, but appeared unmoved as they dominated the 90 minutes in front of a record crowd of 4,345.

And with five penalties looming, Atkinson struck as Celtic won the domestic cup double.

It was Celtic who fashioned the first opportunity on target as Wellings broke the offside trap and forced a strong save from Lee Alexander while Megyu Shen’s follow up strike ballooned over the crossbar.

Celtic showed their strength on the counter attack that found Clarissa Larisey on the Celtic left who cut inside looking for a shot of her own, the ball broke to Jacynta Galabadaarachi who dropped a ball over the top of the City defence into the path of Shen who composed herself before smashing the ball passed Alexander to open the scoring on the 19 minute mark. A goal some would argue that was against the run of play.

And just like that five minutes later it was 1-1 as Jenna Clark showed all the composure of a seasoned striker after Hayley Lauder swung a free-kick into the Celtic box causing a panic, and with the defence unable to clear the ball up stepped Clark stroking the ball past Rachael Johnstone in the Celtic goal with their first shot on target.

City’s defence were showing some frailties in the first half with Shen breaking through and sliding in Wellings who’s shot through a crowd ends up comfortably in Alexander’s arms.

Joy for Celtic down their left-hand side one more as Lariseydrove past Foley into the box and as she played Jacynta in Clark’s sliding challenge wiped out the Celtic winger, the referee played advantage as Jacynta tip toed across the edge of the box putting her shot over the bar. The ref then awarded the penalty and a yellow card to Clark. The SWPL’s top goal scorer Charlie Wellings then showed her composure from the spot to make it 2-1.

The first half wasn’t done with the controversy there as minutes later another penalty was awarded this time for Glasgow City after a push from Jodie Bartle in the box saw the Celtic defender receive a dubious red card which was meant by fury from the Celtic bench and fans in the stands. Up stepped Lauren Davidson who calmly slotted home the penalty to equalise for City.

It was an uphill battle for Celtic in the second-half with Wellings dropping so deep into her own half there was very little out ball for Celtic going forward but it could still be argued that despite being a player down they were still the better of the two teams.

With most of the game being played in the Celtic half the Celtic defence stood resolutely when 12 minutes into the second half Clark rose to win a header from a Lauder corner and forced a spectacular diving save from Johnstone to keep the game at 2-2.

Celtic showed that they weren’t willing to go down without a fight and even with a player disadvantage they showed a complete willingness to do the dirty work and put in a shift for each other.

The dominance in defence Caitlin Hayes was showing in the second half allowed very little in the way of clear-cut City chances providing cover at right-back for the makeshift full-back Shen but also being the start of a lot of Celtic’s counter attacks with her range of passing.

The pace of Celtic’s attacking players was a cause for concern for City’s defence as Wellings broke the offside trap on the 75th minute and rounder Alexander, all that was left to do was pass the ball into the net but the bouncing ball proved hard for the prolific Wellings to direct and ended up blazing the ball over the bar in what was easily Celtic’s best opportunity of the second half.

Another contentious decision from the officials as Alexander was beaten to the ball and handled the ball outside of the area directly in front of the linesman however, he failed to give the decision as the roars of disapproval came from the stands and the Celtic bench.

Celtic were through once more but this time it was Claire Walsh to the rescue with what could have been a match-saving challenge.

Isibeal Atkinson went close with the final kick of the ball in added time but her shot was met by a strong leg from Lee Alexander.

Both teams started the first period of extra-time City again controlled possession with the extra player but failed to test Johnstone. Celtic’s defensive trio of Hayes, Shorts and Kelly Clark definitely keeping their team in the final with impressive performances.

Celtic thought they had a third go-ahead goal but the refs whistle had gone before Shen’s shot was taken due to a head knock to Walsh in the area.

Both teams felt like they could go on and get a winner in the second half of extra time to prevent the game going to penalties with both teams pushing the pace.

It was Celtic though who dug down deep with Sarah Harkesturning her marker spectacularly in the middle of the park and finding Atkinson with a beautiful through-ball.

A first touch to get the ball out of her feet and a powerful left-footed finish saw her fire her side into the lead deep into extra-time.