Ladies - Rovers Second Half Burst Punishes Celtic
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Celtic Ladies played some excellent football against Manchester Rovers, only falling short to a relentless chain of goals at the beginning of the second half; leading to a result that didn’t reflect on their efforts throughout the game.

The game kicked off with a burst of energy from Celtic, with Katie Nix and Chantelle Barret making a run up field in the 1st minute. Nix passed the ball to Barret, who was unfortunate to be blocked by the keeper. The ball fell to Christine Moss, hitting the crossbar from outside the box. 

Melanie Southern came forward for Celtic just 3 minutes later, beating 2 defenders on her way towards the box. However, her shot towards the bottom corner was saved.

Rovers reacted in the 7th minute with 2 close consecutive shots towards goal, with keeper Emma Burns saving both. The crossbar was strook again just minutes later, this time at Celtics end from Rovers striker 23, attempting to dip the ball over Burns.

The deadlock for Rovers was broken on the half an hour mark, following a corner that was perfectly floated into the box. 8 took advantage, firing into the top corner from inside the area.

Rovers doubled their lead in the 37th minute, Moss turned and fired from the edge of the box following a long ball, bringing the score to 2-0. 

Moss attempted to bring the game back; however, her shot was saved from close range just before the whistle blew for half time.

From the moment the whistle blew to resume play, Manchester Rovers looked eager to extend their lead. 23 for Rovers passed a clever ball to 18 on the right wing, returning the ball to 23 who had positioned herself well in the area. The ball was fired into the bottom corner to bring the game to 3-0. Just 2 minutes later, 8 converted a corner kick, breaking through the crowd in the box to slot the ball into the top corner.

Burns made a fantastic save to deny Rovers of an instant 5th goal. However, this seemed to be in vain when Celtic conceded another corner. The ball was floated into the box, picked up by Celtic and kicked out. 25 for Rovers picked up the ball and placed it back into the area, collected by Moss who placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 52nd minute, Moss provided an assist on the right wing, allowing 23 to curl the ball into the left side of the net, bringing the score to 6-0.

Followed was a great defensive effort from Celtic, with Burns making a fantastic save from a free kick by 16 just outside the box. Burns saved again just minutes later, this time following a shot from the right side of the area by 23.

However, Rovers added to their tally in the 62nd minute, 23 scoring her hat-trick from a sharply drilled shot from the left wing. The ball was driven into the right bottom corner, bringing the game to 7-0.

Celtic came close to converting a free kick on the edge of the box. Moss placed an accurate ball towards Kirsty Smith, however was unable to convert. This was a tough game for Celtic, not helped with some questionable decisions from the referee throughout.

Celtic Ladies next play away to league leaders Stockport County at Stockport Sports Village (11:00).