Celtic comeback 'inevitable' says Charlie Wellings after debut brace against Partick Thistle
But Partick Thistle face investigation after allegedly fielding two ineligible players in SWPL Cup opener
Celtic’s SWPL Cup fight-back against Partick Thistle was “inevitable” claimed Charlie Wellings as she scored twice on her debut in a 3-1 win at Petershill Park.
The summer signing from Bristol City hit the net either side of half-time after Teigan McCann had given the home side a shock lead.
And Celtic went top of Group D when Kathleen McGovern notched a late third.
“The goal was that early that we always knew that we could come back,” Wellings told Anyone’s Game.
“We’ve got such a strong team this year that I think it was inevitable that we could come back. Obviously the girls put a shift in and did what we needed to do.”
Partick Thistle and Hearts could be in trouble though with Scottish Women’s Football, with the league management committee set to review suggestions on the club’s social media pages that they named triallists on the bench.
SWPL Cup rules state no unregistered players can be named in a matchday squad.
Last season’s SWPL 1 runners-up Celtic found themselves behind after just five minutes when a Chloe Warrington pass back to Rachael Johnstone fell short, and the goalkeeper’s attempted clearance was diverted into the net by Thistle striker McCann.
Celtic struggled to create chances, despite having the majority of the possession. McGovern had a low free-kick which was well blocked and another tipped wide.
But Celtic did level before half-time when McGovern’s long through ball found Wellings. The striker coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Lauren Grant from the edge of the area.
And Wellings made it two when she rose highest to meet Rachel Donaldson’s cross just before the hour mark.
Thistle fought hard but Celtic always looked likely to score more. Izzy Atkinson and Wellings threatened before McGovern headed off a post.
But McGovern wasn’t to be denied moments later as she emphatically smashed home a Donaldson corner on the half volley.
Anyone’s Game player of the match - Charlie Wellings
New signing Charlie Wellings was the difference in this match for Celtic, with her goals turning the game in their favour. Her movement was good throughout and her finishing was clinical as she put in a player of the match performance on her competitive debut for the club.
Kathleen McGovern and Izzy Atkinson both impressed in the middle of the park as well for Celtic, while Rosie Slater and the tireless Teigan McCann were the standouts for Thistle.
SWPL Cup results
Group A
Rangers 8-0 Queen’s Park
Aberdeen 2-1 Boroughmuir Thistle
Group B
Dundee United 10-0 Forfar Farmington
Hibernian 4-0 Kilmarnock
Group C
Glasgow Women 0-9 Glasgow City
Spartans 2-2 Hamilton Academical
Group D
Partick Thistle 1-3 Celtic
Hearts 1-0 St Johnstone
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