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Knockmitten Bluebell 2 – 5 CASTLEKNOCK CELTIC
“Jeckyl & Hyde Celtic Hit Five”
On the last Saturday before the Easter break Castleknock needed a performance to maintain their unbeaten record. The opposition was Knockmitten Bluebell who themselves had only suffered one defeat so far this season so another Battle Royale was anticipated.
Celtic started like an express train and within 5 minutes had the lead. Harry O’ Reilly , who has been in fine form of late, slotted home to give the visitors the lead. What a start and this was followed by champagne football. Phelim Scott,with a bit more luck could have had a hat-trick, while Abdullah and James Browne both saw shots that beat the keeper but also the far post. However as Celtic have done so often this season they went to sleep. A defensive mix up saw the ball fall to the Knockmitten midfielder who rifled a 25 yarder stunnerinto the roof of the net. 1-1. A momentum shifter and while Celtic had more chances it was the home side who began to dominate meaning it was Celtic who were glad to hear the half time whistle. HT: 1-1
The Coaches told their players– “Relax, you have been on top, you have the wind, we have the players now let’s go and play football”. However nobody seemed to have listened as Celtic started as if they were a goal down with 5 minutes left. Everything was rushed , the game was scrappy and it was Knockmitten who looked the more likely. Something needed to happen and with 10 minutes on the clock Celtic got the break they needed. Ryan Sherlock released a through ball to Catalin La Bont who out paced the defender, rounded the keeper to finish and make it 1-2. Relief but the question was would Celtic learn their lesson. The Answer was an emphatic YES. And if we needed any evidence of that we saw with a candidate for goal of the season. Jamie Tucker from deep in his own half played a lovely 25 yarder down the win to Catalin who was the coolest player on the pitch, a first time 35 yard cross field ball across the defence found Jaden storming in and if Catalin’s pass was top drawer the finish was a la Lionel Messi as the youngster lifted the ball over the keeper into the net. 1-3.
Soon it was four with James Browne, back to his best, going on a mazy run beating three players before placing the ball into the corner. 1-4. The icing on the cake was provided by Adam Flynn with a classy corner that flew straight in. 1-5. Knockmitten got a consolation goal in the dying minutes with a well struck penalty. FT: 2 -5
5-2 but Celtic know they were in a game and at 1-1 the outcome was uncertain. Celtic gave a “Jeckyl and Hyde” performance and as we have seen when they are good they are very good but when they are bad it’s very bad. But quality will always shine through and credit to the Boys for showing great character in raising their game when needed and they did it by playing football the way it was meant to be. Some slick passing and some excellent finishing earned the Celts three points which in this early part of the season puts them in a position to challenge for promotion. Well done Boys but there’s one thing we ask - will you stop giving your Coaches and supporters heart attacks!!
