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Goals from Leigh Reilly and Matthew Elliott were enough to earn Celtic all 3 points in a very close, but thrilling, encounter. 2-1
After a rare poor performance the previous Saturday, Castleknock were keen to set the record straight as they welcomed local rivals Phoenix FC. When these teams last met, Celtic won in a canter but Phoenix had shown how much they had improved with a win against St Josephs and with this being a derby game anything could happen.
When the game started the league table was turned upside down as a fired up Phoenix took the game to Celtic who looked shell shocked as they struggled to combat Phoenix’s direct but structured football. It was all Phoenix and they took a deserved early lead following some poor defending that allowed the Phoenix striker to finish well. Indeed for the first quarter Celtic looked completely out of sorts. It was during this period that Messts Flynn and San Emeterio showed their value at the back.
As the half wore on Celtic started finding their rhythm thanks to some inspirational wing play on the right by Johnny Kane while Mark Hughes and Andrei Enache were gaining the upper hand in the middle of the park. Now dominating possession Celtic started to create chances with the in form Leigh Reilly and Kian Ryan creating problems for Phoenix up front. Sustained pressure told with 10 minutes to go in the half as Celtic deservedly equalised. Good build up play by Dylan Mc Donagh and Ryan ended in a rushed clearance to Reilly who thanks to a cool head and a good right foot drilled the ball into the net from 18 yards. 1-1. Celtic sought to capitalise and only a combination of the woodwork, good goalkeeping and brave defending denied them further goals. However Phoenix let it be known that they still had the potential to create an upset with a fine break just on half time that carved open Celtic only to be denied by a brave goal stopping save from Thomas Bowe. HT 1-1.
Celtic started the second half as they finished the first – on top and dominating play. Ciaran Collins was mesmerising as he waltzed repeatedly through the Phoenix defence. However as in the first half their dominance could not get the goals their play deserved. The best opportunity came from a fine passing move that ended with Reilly playing a lovely through ball to the unmarked Matthew Elliott only for Kane to collide with his team mate allowing the Phoenix No 1 to make a simple save. In the last quarter Celtic started to get nervous and began to hit too many long balls. This allowed Phoenix back into the game and they nearly capitalised when Bowe and Flynn got themselves into trouble at the back however the duo recovered well to save the day.
The calls from the line were to stay calm and keep passing and credit to the Boys as they responded well by lifting the pace of the game once again. This brought a deserved goal with 2 minutes left. Hughes won the ball at the edge of the Celtic box and launched down the pitch where he was battled all the way by his opposite number. It was a case of pure determination as he managed to get his pass in from the edge of the Phoenix box into Elliott whose shot was well saved however the youngster fired home in a goalmouth scramble. There were leaps of joy but the game still wasn’t over. In what was a thriller of a game Phoenix launched forward and in the last minute won a freekick at the edge of the box. The well taken shot was headed over by Hughes and with it Phoenix’s last chance. FT 2-1.
A rip roaring game more akin to a Cup final as both teams played their hearts out. Both teams had periods of dominance but at the end of the day Celtic’s attacking play just about deserved victory against a hard working and sporting Phoenix who gave their all. Both teams received deserved cheers at the end and both Coaches were clearly proud of their teams performances in what was an excellent game of football.
A really nice footnote to this game were the compliments passed to both management teams and players after the game for playing the game as schoolboy football should.
