Women’s football kicks off for the season

‘We are back in business – the 2012 season has begun,’ says Laura Montgomery reporting on the Glasgow Premier League of women’s football.

Glasgow City got the new 2012 season off with a bang with a resounding 10-0 victory over Kilmarnock in Ayrshire in the first round of the Premier League Cup.

With a number of players out with a virus and nine City players involved in recent international action, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black had fewer than usual to choose from. As always, the players who did take to the field, did not let City down.

Killie nearly pulled off an instant shock when City’s Lee Alexander was forced to pull off a good save at the feet of the Killie striker to keep her side level after five minutes. That was Killie’s only real chance of the match. City went on to dominate play and possession for the rest of the game.

New signing, Julie Melrose got her own City account off to a great start with a goal on 14 minutes reacting first to a saved Leanne Ross shot, to fire into the back of the net.

Minutes later, City doubled their account when the busy Jo Love scored from a Jane Ross cross. Love then doubled her tally scoring her side’s third goal on 24 minutes after she was put through by Leanne Ross.

On the half hour mark, Jane Ross got her tally underway and three minutes before half time, full back Ciara Barnes linked brilliantly with Jo Love to score a fine team goal. A minute before the break and Melrose found the back of the net again, this time converting a Jane Ross cross from the by-line. The half time score was 0-6

In the second half, City kept the pressure on the home side. Shortly after the whistle got the game underway again, Jane Ross scored a great strike from outside the box. The Scotland and City striker was soon on target again, this time making space for herself inside the box before shooting past the helpless Killie keeper.

Substitute Eilish McSorley scored with a good header from a City corner on 75 minutes and with ten minutes remaining, Leanne Ross tucked another one away to make it 10-0 to the Scottish Champions.

Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, ‘I am delighted we are through to the next round which is always the main objective. We were on a really heavy pitch today, so I was pleased with how well we moved the ball around. And we scored some really good goals. The fact that we were down to 12 fit players out of our squad of 20 perhaps says it all. But it shows the strength and quality of our squad that the girls who played today, did a really good job. Credit must go to Kilmarnock who never gave up. I felt they worked their socks off for 90 minutes and never made it easy for us.’

 

Full results round up:

First Round Scottish Premier League Cup:

Kilmarnock 0 v 10 Glasgow City: City – Jane Ross (3), Julie Melrose (2), Jo Love (2), Ciara Barnes (1), Leanne Ross (1), Eilish McSorley (1)

Celtic 1 v 0 Hibernian: Celtic – Heather Richards (1).

Rangers 8 v 1 Falkirk: Rangers – Jen Callaghan (4), Alana Marshall (1), Cheryl Gallacher (1), Kirsty McLaughlin (1). Falkirk – Sarah Quilitti (OG), Sinead Goi McLean (1).

Hutchison Vale 1 v 3 Aberdeen: Hutchie – Laura Dunn (1). Aberdeen (tbc)

 

For more details see:

www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk

Twitter: @GlasgowCityFC

Facebook: Glasgowcity Fc

Women footballers net world top status

Scottish Champions, Glasgow City Football Team is through to the last 32 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. They will know on Tuesday who they will play when the draw is made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The team qualified when they beat Klaksvik in Serbia 5-0. This ensured that City topped Group 5 with three wins out of three, scoring 17 goals and conceding none. In turn, they became the first Scottish team ever to reach the last 32, knock-out stages of Europe’s most elite club competition.
Said Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black: ‘I am delighted we have gone through and to be honest, we thoroughly deserved it. We can now look forward to a really challenging end to the season. I am proud of the players for all of their hard work and dedication. They deserve to play at the highest level in European football.’
On the day, Glasgow City defender, Rachel Corsie celebrated her 22nd birthday, captaining the team. Goals from Katharina Lindner (2) Leanne Ross, Jo Love and Eilish McSorley ensured City’s place in history.
To fund the next stage of their progression upwards, they will host a Sports Person’s Dinner on Friday 26 August at the Art Club, 185 Bath Street in Glasgow’s city centre. The trip to Serbia alone, cost £15,000. There are a few seats remaining at £40 per person and sponsor spots of £100 are on offer. The beautiful venue, three course meal and first class speakers in Kenny Clarke and Sandy Strang make for an inviting evening. Contact Laura Montgomery, Manager on: chairperson@glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk Eddie will fly out on Tuesday 23 August to Nyon for the draw. His team is now seeded 20th in Europe. The top 16 seeds do not need to qualify and City expect to be drawn against stiff competition. Said Eddie: ‘This gives our girls the chance, once more, to really test themselves against some of the best in the world. Naturally, we’d like to avoid the Germans and the French. And we’d prefer not to face the might of Arsenal who are No.2 seed. But we are under no illusions. We may even be the only completely amateur team still in the competition so no matter who we get, we will need to be at our very, very best.’

City’s home leg will be played on either Wednesday 28 or Thursday 29 September at Petershill Park,  Springburn, Glasgow, their home ground. ‘Not too shabby for an amateur side.’ comments Laura Montgomery Club manager and reporter for all the games.

Jo Love signs for Glasgow City

by Laura Montgomery
Glasgow City are delighted to announce the signing of Scotland midfielder Jo Love.
Previously at Celtic, Jo is City’s second key signing of the pre-season, suggesting some exciting times ahead for the Scottish Champions.
Announcing the signing, City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: “Jo put pen to paper today and took part in our match against Chelsea. Everybody knows what a fantastic player she is – 98 Scotland caps for a player not long turned 25, speaks for itself. I am thrilled to have her at the club. We have an outstanding crop of players here and I am more than confident that Jo will blossom at this club and will hopefully help us to pick up more honours along the way.”
Jo, follows ex-team mate, Christie Murray, in the close season move from Celtic to City and has no regrets about leaving her former club. She said, “Like Christie, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Celtic and I have nothing but praise for the club. However, I felt it was time to move on and while it was a very difficult decision, it is most definitely the right one. I have played against City a number of times and everyone can see what a fantastic side they are. I cannot wait to get a number of training sessions under my belt and look forward to the upcoming exciting matches against the English Super League teams.”
www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk

City Ladies boost before Celtic match league decider

 

Glasgow City Ladies FC have received a major financial boost ahead of their championship decider with Celtic Ladies on Sunday October 31.

Tied at the top of this season’s league table, Glasgow City and rivals Celtic have each won all but one of their league games so far this season – the only exception being a draw between the two sides back in May.

Glasgow City lead the table by three points having played a game more and if they win the league it will be their fourth consecutive title, setting a new Scottish record.

Regardless of how things go on the pitch Glasgow City Ladies FC are winners off it as Northgate Managed Services have agreed to sponsor the SWF Premier League champions.

Information and Communication Technology firm Northgate has a Scottish base in Glasgow and is headquartered in Belfast, with more than 1,000 staff providing infrastructure services and ICT specialist managed services.

So the destination of the 2010 SWF Premier League trophy hinges on Sunday’s decider and Glasgow City will take to the field with new sponsors Northgate proudly emblazoned on the sleeves of the team’s home shirts.

City captain Laura Montgomery said: ‘It goes without saying that we are all looking forward to Sunday’s game when we know we will have to be at our very best against a strong Celtic team if we wish to retain the league title.

‘And we’re delighted to welcome Northgate as our latest sponsor. Northgate are top of their game – like ourselves, so the partnership marries well.’

‘This new sponsorship funding has several benefits, the most basic of which is that along with other incomes it will help finance the day-to-day running of the club.’

But Celtic Ladies will be no pushover and have previously beaten Glasgow City en route to their successful league cup final. And lifting silverware already this season gives Celtic reason to be optimistic as vice-captain Jo Love explained.

She said: ‘We are hoping that we can do the business on Sunday, but we won’t be taking anything for granted as Glasgow are a very good team.

‘Winning the league cup was so special for everyone at the club and we want more. Onwards and upwards is our motto.’

The big match kicks off at 4pm on Sunday at Celtic’s Lennoxtown complex.

Celtic women win silver

The Premier League Cup Final - Celtic 4-1 Spartans.

by Laura Montgomery

pic Lorraine Hill

Celtic finally ended the wait for their first ever piece of silverware last night (Wed 12 May) when they defeated Spartans 4-1 in the Premier League Cup Final of Scottish women’s football.
Celtic and Scotland ace, Jo Love, got her team off to the start they wanted, scoring on 20 minutes. Team-mate Christie Murray added to Celtic’s lead, to make the Hoops 2-0 up at half time.

In the second half, both Murray and Love added another, before Spartans’ Claire Crosbie, headed home a consolation goal from a corner.