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Celtic were given a severe test today in Abbotstown against a very competent Ardmore Rovers who top the league table as we approach the Christmas break. It was marvelous that the teams could play this game on a lovely surface at the NAC all weather pitches. It was a bright and cool morning which contrasted with the miserable rain and wind of the past few days that saw the country battered by storm Desmond. Our thoughts are with those families who are recovering from the effects of the flooding and storm force winds in the West of the country – they had to contend with 5-times the rainfall average in the past week.
Celtic got the perfect start when Ren Mulligan shot home to give the home side the lead after he had fought hard for the ball after a corner kick. Midway through the half, Ardmore got a deserved equalizer when a corner kick evaded the Celtic defenders and it was rifled in from close range. The visitors followed this up with a second which gave them a narrow lead at the break.
Ibrahim Hussein, Ren and Conor Lawless were marshalling the defence in front of today’s keeper Ahmad Niazi, with Cosdel Burlacu and James Bannerman in the middle trying to limit the space for the opposition when their opponents had possession. Reuben Aherne was operating as a lone frontman. As the half progressed, Rei Mulligan came on and was effective in the first half in the right full back role, while Tadgh Leahy joined the defence to add his strength to the back line. Mohamed Dafallah joined the attack and tried to create for his supporting midfielders. A superb double save by Ahmad kept his team very much in the game at a vital time in the first half.
The second half was a different story and Ardmore showed why they are top of the table. They had a right winger that reminded us of Stoke’s “Alpine Messi”, Xherdan Shaqiri, who tormented the Man City defence yesterday. The Ardmore winger raced along the right wing, whipping in beautiful crosses that seemed to have been well rehearsed as their strikers raced in to capitalize.
Celtic did have chances in the second half but just one was taken when Ren Mulligan was again involved, as his shot was saved by the Ardmore keeper, but James Bannerman was alert to the loose ball and he shot home from 6 yards. Celtic were battling with Ruben trying to create chances, and one of his efforts resulted in an Ardmore player being winded.
Ardmore were deserved winners, and so it is back to training next Wednesday at 6pm in preparation for the final game before the Christmas break next weekend. Denying the opponents time and space and attacking the ball will be the coach's priority in order to deny the oppositon such opportunities that Ardmore exploited today. Result 2-6.
