Glasgow City welcomed Fortuna Hjørring to Petershill Park on a day that thankfully had brightened up so the weather should not impact on the game. There was a touch of drizzle in air as the game started but nothing to worry about. The home team sit unbeaten at the top of the Scottish Premier League while Fortuna can be found in XX place in the Danish league. The visitors had reached the last 16 of the Champions League in each of the last three seasons so they know what is required to make it four in a row. Stewart Regan, SFA Chief Executive, Campbell Ogilvie, SFA President, joined Sheila Begbie, head of women's football in Scotland, in the stand for the game which could see City make a good start to making the last 16 for the second season in a row. City started as they always do, on the offensive driving down the right while Nicola Docherty was screaming for the ball on the left. perhaps City will listen in future as Fortuna, then went up the park and scored the opening goal. Chi-Chi Igbo took the ball down the right and crossed for the unmarked Nadia Nadim to slot the ball home. City are not used to coming back from being behind in the league so this may be a test for the side especially with the level of ambition they have. The visitors were quick on the break and keen to make their moves pay off. Collective in-takes of breath were a regular occurrence from the crowd in the opening ten minutes. Claire Johnstone in the City goal was having to be on alert for the speedy Igbo who was keen to add to the score. City were perhaps rushing things and passes were being hit too hard and the ball going to safety too often. Fortuna were no strangers to no-nonsense tackling when required. City's Leanne Crichton was wearing a face guard to protect her broken nose, suffered against Celtic, but that did not stop her getting in there. Docherty moving down the left seemed the best option for City but it did not seem to be an option they favoured early in the first half. With 15 minutes gone, you felt that City were settling into the game but they could not relax at all. Fortuna were able to brush off their opposite numbers with apparent ease but City players just dusted themselves down and got back into the game. The home defence were still having to be alert to the moves from Nadim and Igbo with last minute clearances often being required. Igbo was a constant thorn in the City defence's side with her bustling style making her hard to muscle off the ball. Nadim made it 2-0 in the 30th minute when she went on a solo run toward the left of the penalty box. Johnstone parried her shot but the ball looped in the goal evading the despairing feet of the back tracking defenders. City had only lost three goals in all during the group stage of the Champions League so were not used to being in this position in a game. City did not seem to be able to boss the game as they like to do with the Fortuna players being strong and fast in the tackle and moves. City captain Corsie was not about to go down without a fight and was making her presence felt on several occasions. Leading by example, the fight was still there to be seen in the City side. Coach Eddie Wolecki Black will be keen to have a few words with his players at half-time. A penalty was awarded when Igbo was bundled to the ground by the last defender. Thankfully for City only a yellow card was shown before Nadim stepped up for what she thought would be her hat-trick. Driving the ball to her right, Johnstone guessed right and got her full body behind the shot and pushed the ball to safety. Half-time: Glasgow City 0 Fortuna Hjørring 2 City must have had sore ears when they came out for the second half as they set up camp in the visitors gaol mouth in the opening minutes hoping the get a goal to build on the confidence brought by the penalty save at the end of the first half. Igbo was subbed after 12 minutes of the second half what must have been the delight of the home defence. Her replacement, Camilla Kur Larsen, was twice Igbo's size which meant there was change of tactic from the visitors. City were making heavy weather of making and taking changes as Fortuna continued to be first to the ball and strong enough to ride the challenges coming in. Fortuna were not looking to be under any real pressure from dead ball situations and that appeared to be the best way for City to make in-roads on the deficit. In open play they were always able to what appeared to be an extra player to deal with any threat. Long range shots were being tried by City but their aim was not true, but it was perhaps some sighting shots. Maria Christensen was not the tallest of 'keepers and a well placed shot may make the difference.. However just as I wrote that she rose to tip a rising shot from Emma Mitchell from a free-kick about 20 metres out from goal. City finally made their procession pay when Jane Ross drove down the right, and sent an unstoppable shot over the despairing hand of Christensen. 2-1 and game on with 14 minutes left. However, the game continued to elude City as the dream comeback failed to materialise. Fortuna always appeared to have that extra player on hand once the first defender was beaten. The visitors were not about to give up their hard won lead up and they headed home to Denmark with two away goals and confidence that they have the return leg to look forward to. City are not used to being two goals behind and the lack of real competition in the domestic league will have played a part in their inability to step up a gear that is required when playing o the European stage. With the SFA being well represented at the game, perhaps some more thought on how to support the top clubs in Scotland.Final score: Glasgow City 1 Fortuna Hjørring 2 Glasgow City: Johnstone, McSorley, Love, Murray, Chrichton, Mitchell, Ross (J), Docherty, Corsie, Fernon, Ross (L) Subs: Alexander, Pagliarulo, Melrose, Littlejohn, Dalziel, McDonald, Barnes Fortuna Hjørring: Christensen, Jensen (M), Jesen (J), Pedersen, Morgensen, Woods, Sigvardsen-Jensen, Weimer, Nadim, Igbo, Smidt-Hansen Subs: Jensen (T), Pedersen, Rask, Molgaard, Kristensen, Hovesen, Larsen
Source: FOOTYMAD
