YFS
In a strange turn of events two youth teams battled it out in this Division 1 Cup Final and it was Celtic who prevailed to lift the trophy. In a very tight affair, Celtic probably just shaded it, and on the back of their second performance, were worthy winners on the day.
Both sides entered this match high on confidence, with Celtic and Hibernian both winning their previous three matches, however, it was Hibernian who began brightest.
Good work in midfield by Hibernian’s Morgan Turner allowed her to find Jamie Lee Smith, who engineered space well before unleashing a powerful effort which Celtic keeper Lisa Kerr turned round the post.
Celtic hit back immediately and only a few minutes later were very unlucky not to be ahead. A corner from Cara Henderson was met well by Shannon Nagle, however, her header went just wide of the post.
On the back of this chance, Celtic began to take control of possession, without fashioning too many chances. Their only other major opportunity before the break came on 20 minutes when a long ball found its way to Kathleen McGovern. She managed to knock the ball over the goalkeeper, however, she couldn’t force the ball over the line, as the Hibernian defence cleared.
Despite prolonged periods of Celtic possession, the Hibees did create probably the best opportunity of the first period just before the half-hour mark. Celtic’s captain Nicole Cairney was caught in possession by Nicole Rutherford and she drove forward and played in Kirsty Morrison but her tame effort was straight at Lisa Kerr.
This chance was the last of a very close first half, as both sides went into the break on level terms.
