CELTIC and Hibernian will contest the SWFL Cup final later this month after both won their semi-finals at Ainslie Park yesterday.
In the first semi-final Celtic beat Spartans 2-1, while in the second Abi Harrison scored in the last minute of extra time to put her side through with the only goal of a tight contest.
Celtic sprung a surprise by including Suzanne Mulvey on the bench for the match. The striker only returned to the club during the week and celebrated by scoring the winner after 74 minutes. Spartans took an early lead, with Colette Cavanagh getting the goal from just inside the box though Celtic equalised before half-time through Kirsty Howat.
With 20 minutes remaining Celtic made a triple substitution, including Mulvey, and shortly after she beat Rachel Harrison from close range to settle the game.
The 32-year-old said: “I went into semi-retirement because of work and family commitments, but there has been a change in that recently and I was missing football a lot. That was a great way to come back and I’m delighted we’re in the final.”
Celtic manager David Haley added: “Suzanne’s return was last-minute but she makes a big difference – not just in finishing, but everything else we do.
“We’re finding it hard to break teams down and hopefully she will make a difference.”
City had most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes of the second semi – but it was Hibs who had the two best chances.
Both came from headers, but neither Katey Turner nor Rachael Small could direct them on target.
Noelle Murray and Lauren McMurchie had decent efforts for City in the second half, and at the other end they had goalkeeper Lee Alexander to thank for a brave save at the feet of McLauchlan.
Almost inevitably, the game went into extra-time.
All the drama came in the last three minutes. Alexander looked to have conceded a penalty when Harrison went down but referee Vikki Robertson booked the Hibs player for simulation. Two minutes later she scored her winner, turning Siobhan Hunter’s shot into the net.
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