Celtic edged closer to the Champions League group stages with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in their play-off first leg. Murphy Agnew’s early goal proved decisive, but despite dominating much of the match, Celtic were left to rue missed chances that could have given them a bigger cushion heading into the second leg.
Agnew’s Early Strike Sets the Tone
It took Celtic only five minutes to open the scoring in this crucial play-off tie, as Murphy Agnew demonstrated her sharpness with a clever turn and finish that found the back of the net. Agnew’s goal, a low drive past Vorskla goalkeeper Kateryna Samson, came after a well-worked build-up and gave the home side an early advantage.
Despite this strong start, Celtic struggled to convert further opportunities. Caitlin Hayes, who was a constant threat from set-pieces, went close with several headers, but luck wasn’t on her side.
Celtic Dominate but Fail to Capitalize
The first half saw Celtic dominate possession, pinning Vorskla Poltava deep into their own half. The Scottish side looked dangerous from both open play and set-pieces, consistently creating chances to double their advantage. However, a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending from Vorskla kept the scoreline at 1-0.
Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who had a lively game on the wing, had a golden opportunity to extend the lead but scuffed her shot wide when the goal was at her mercy. It was one of several missed chances for Celtic, who struggled to put the game to bed despite their clear dominance.
Celtic continued to control the midfield and dictate the tempo, but they couldn’t find the cutting edge in front of goal. Ashworth-Clifford came close again, this time with a curling effort that clipped the outside of the post. Emma Lawton also had a chance to score but headed wide after getting the better of her marker on a set-piece.
Vorskla Resilient in Defense
While Celtic were the superior team, Vorskla Poltava’s defensive resilience was impressive. The Ukrainian side, well aware of the importance of keeping the tie alive for the second leg, defended in numbers and limited Celtic to long-range efforts and headers from set-pieces. Although they struggled to create chances of their own, their disciplined defensive performance kept them in the tie.
Kateryna Samson, Vorskla’s goalkeeper, played a crucial role in keeping the deficit at just one goal. She made several important saves, most notably denying Kit Loferski when the Celtic forward was clean through on goal. Samson’s strong presence between the posts ensured that her team will head into the second leg with hope of overturning the deficit.
The Second Leg Awaits
Celtic’s 1-0 lead gives them a crucial advantage, but Vorskla Poltava will fancy their chances of causing an upset at home. The Ukrainian side will need to be more adventurous going forward if they are to overturn the deficit, but their solid defensive display in the first leg suggests that this tie is far from over.
For Celtic, the key to success in the second leg will be maintaining their defensive solidity while improving their finishing in front of goal. They will head to Ukraine confident that they can secure the result they need to progress, but aware that any slip-ups could prove costly.
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