Celtic book date with City in cup final

CELTIC and holders Glasgow City will meet in the final of the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle on May 29. They survived tough semi-final matches against Hearts and Partick Thistle at Falkirk Stadium to set up a repeat of December’s League Cup final, which Celtic won 1-0.

Despite Hearts not being able to field either of their Celtic loan signings, there were no goals at the end of 90 minutes in the first semi-final. It was not until three minutes into the second period of extra time that Charlie Wellings finally beat Hearts goalkeeper Charlotte ParkerSmith, and two minutes later Celtic’s top scorer added another to ensure there would be no home game for Hearts in the final.

“It was a disappointing game for us because we wanted to win it in 90 minutes, but obviously we’re still happy to get through to the final,” Wellings said after bringing her tally to 34 for the season. “Their goalie has had a worldie, so fair play to her – I’m just happy to have got two past her in the end.”

City beat Partick Thistle 3-1 in the second semi-final, but again it was a struggle for the favourites. There were three goals in the opening 19 minutes and they all came from corners.

A Carla McBrearty own goal put City ahead, but Cheryl McCulloch quickly equalised for Thistle. Lauren Davidson restored City’s advantage, with Priscila Chinchilla finally making the game safe with a goal 11 minutes from time.

In SWPL 1, Rangers beat Motherwell 2-1 at Alliance Park and now need just one point from their home game against second place City next Sunday to win their first women’s title.

Kirsten Reilly and Lizzie Arnot made it 2-0 at half time, but a superb free-kick from Katie Rice brought Motherwell back into the game and only the bar prevented the home side denting Rangers’ title aspirations.

Hibernian and Hamilton Accies drew 2-2 in the other SWPL 1 game.