Glasgow ladies continue continental push

Glasgow City Ladies continued their march through Europe as they defeated Valur 4-1 on aggregate to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Having already wrapped up the Scottish Women’s Premier League, City wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game as they had done in the tense 1-1 draw in the first leg at Petershill Park.

The Scottish champions are now the only full amateur side left in the competition, only non-seeded team left, and one of just two sides left who came through the qualifying round.

City could have opened the scoring within the first five minutes when Jane Ross found Leanne Ross but Valur keeper Meagan McCray saved well from the Scottish midfielder. However, Eddie Wolecki Black’s side did take the lead on 10 minutes after some good work down the left between Emma Mitchell and Lisa Evans.

McCray could only claw Mitchell’s cross into team-mate Hallbera Gísladóttir and across the line. City continued to press and almost doubled their lead midway through the first half when Jo Love attempted an audacious drive to catch the keeper off her line but shot inches over the bar.

Moments later, Mitchell tried her luck from outside the box which had the American stopper scrambling. But the effort went wide of the McCray’s left hand post.

Valur had their best opportunity of the game when Icelandic forward Elín Metta Jensen broke through the heart of the City defence only to shoot wide under pressure from Leanne Ross. City again came close to doubling their lead soon after the restart as Jane Ross beat two defenders before firing in a low cross which was spilled by McCray, though the Valur defence eventually cleared the ball amid a goalmouth scramble.

But the Scottish champions added to their advantage on the hour mark as Jane Ross got the better of Gísladóttir from a throw-in and McCray again failed to deal with her driven cross, palming the ball into the path of Lisa Evans, who stroked home as the Valur defence tried to recover.

Just two minutes later, City extended their lead. After briefly losing the ball near the half-way line, Jane Ross hustled the ball from Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir. Eilish McSorley found Evans who had the pace to run past right-back Embla Grétarsdóttir before coolly slotting past McCray. With the game all but won, Evans came close to grabbing a hat-trick as she was released by Leanne Ross.

However, Valur captain Mist Edvardsdóttir made a crucial last-gasp tackle to deny the Scotland forward. City will now face reigning German and two-time European, champions Turbine Potsdam in the first leg of their last 16 tie on November 2nd at the Karl Liebknecht Stadion.

Potsdam are considered to be one of the best domestic teams in the world at the moment with one of the best youth development programmes. Bernd Schröder’s side are looking to reach a third successive final in May, which this year will be held in Munich just days before the men’s UEFA Champions League final. “I am absolutely delighted for everyone involved in the club,” City’s head coach said.

“I think it is fair to say that we thoroughly deserved the result. Most pleasing was the fact that we showed great maturity to play away from home in a European tie and dominate the ball. This negated the tactics of the home side, who are a very direct team.

“As a team, the girls felt that they had let themselves down [in the first leg], however, the staff believed that the away tie would suit us better and that has proved to be the case.

“Whilst we are very aware of our opponents in the next round and their reputation, we have considerable experience in playing German sides, but first I want the girls to get a moment to enjoy this victory and what they have achieved so far.”

City have already faced German sides Duisburg, Bayern Munich, and three-time European champions 1. FFC Frankfurt in previous qualifying rounds of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and UEFA Women’s Cup, their best result a 3-1 defeat to Frankfurt in the last 16 group stage of the UEFA Women’s Cup three years ago.

Glasgow City will host Turbine Potsdam on Thursday 10 November at Petershill Park, Springburn. Kick-off 18:05.

Tickets are now on sale for the home leg of their last 16 tie. Available from Greaves Sports retail outlets, Tickets Scotland, and directly from Petershill Park. Priced at £5 adults, £2 children/OAPs Tickets are now on sale for the City’s Champions League fundraising gig, featuring artists Bex Currie, Craig Martin Ward, and headlined by singer/songwriter and former Glasgow City Ladies player Sharon Martin. The gig takes place at Stereo, 22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow on Sunday 30 October. Doors open at 6.45pm and the first act is on at 7.30pm Tickets are priced at £12 and are available to purchase at Glasgow City home matches or through Sharon Martin’s website www.sharonmartinmusic.com