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“Celtic come of age in classy display V Belvedere ”
Today was a special day for our young Celts as they bristled with excitement at the prospect of playing Belvedere FC. Each year our young heroes progress but never have they played against a team with Belvedere’s pedigree and standing in Schoolboy football. Castleknockhave been very inconsistent of late but despite this have the knack of producing when most needed and for sure they would need to deliver a big performance against the Boys in Blue to have any chance.
Fired up for the occasion Celtic started like an express train with Catalin La Bont firing a shot and a statement of intent following good work from Abdullah Boujerdha. Within 10 minutes Celtic were ahead. Andre Ungareanu played a long ball down the wing and Catalin did the rest as he rounded his marker and fired home past the keeper. 1-0. Still you don’t play for Belvo unless you have quality and spirit. Belvo bounced back and nearly scored when a defelected shot from 20 yards wrong footed Celtic keeper, Max Ostapchuk , who some howmanaged to make a magnificent save. Buoyed on Belvo attacked in waves forcing Celtic’s Ryan Sherlock and Denys Yaskersky in to action on a repeated basis where both stood tall with sterling defensive work.
Belvo were stretching Celtic. A wonderful ball split the defence. Max raced out forcing the striker wide. The striker pulled the ball back across the goal but who was waiting only “Big Mac” Mc Gregor who cleared his lines and saved the day. The game was end to end. Celtic had their chances too and as the half ended but just on half time Luke Hughes made a spectacular clearance as he rose like an eagle to power the ball away to repel a Belvedere attack. HT: 1-0
All the Coaches could say was “Well done but we another half like the first one”. Both teams went at it from the start. Celtic’s defence of Sherlock and Ben Forde, who came on for the injured Denys, were being kept busy while Celtic looked dangerous as they attacked down both wings where “Big Mac” and Conor Simmonds were razor sharp. The next goal would be crucial and both teams knew it. Celtic thought they had scored when Tara put through Abdullah who powered home but was adjudged off-side. Minutes later it was 2-0. Ben, who was back to his best to-day, hit a free well inside the Celtic half out right to Tara who had timed her run brilliantly. The keeper came off his line but there was only one winner as Tara kept her cool and placed the ball into the net. Back came Belvo forcing Max into another good save. Then at the other end Tara and Andre went close before James Browne, who was bossing the midfield, shot just over following good build up involving Luke and Andre. It was end to end. With 10 minutes to go there was a game deciding moment. The Belvo winger swung the ball in with force hitting Ben head on . From four yards the ball ricocheted off Ben towards his own goal only for Max to make a magnificent one handed reflex save. Cue huge applause from both sides. Celtic were lifted and minutes later it was 3-0. The ball was played into the Belvo box from the right to Luke. With his back to goal and only 8 yards out the options were a lay off or a shot on the swivel. But No Luke had other ideas. An audacious back heel to the only unmarked player, Catalin. Everyone was wrong footed and Catalin powered home into an empty net for his second and no more than the young man deserved such was his performance up front. FT: 3-0
The Celts were ecstatic at the final whistle receiving huge cheers from their rowdy supporters and why not having just put in arguably their best performance of the season for a deserved win. And it needed to be against a talented Belvedere outfit. Of course one will ask why we cannot see this every week. That discussion is for another day, to-day is a day to enjoy and applaud a wonderful team performance where all the “Dirty Dozen” on duty put in a great shift. Well done all. Enjoy the weekend.
