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Phoenix FC 1 – 6 Castleknock Celtic
“Celtic in cruise control as Kiano nabs hat-trick”
Following some poor performances of late and the loss of an unbeaten home record going back to 2013 these young Celtic U14 Players were going through one of those spells that you hope you never experience. It happens to the best as Chelsea found out this year. But at times like this you have to be philosophical, learn from it ,play your way out of it and become better for the experience. Today was a day for the Celts to begin their resurrection but the question was could they do it in a local derby against Phoenix.
Celtic nearly got off to a flying start when Mark Hughes whipped in a wonderful corner which inexplicably Messrs Reilly and Neto both narrowly failed to turn in. Celtic always looked the more likely as they continuously sought to pierce the Phoenix defence. The breakthrough came midway through the half when Neto cut in from the left before putting a through ball to Kiano Ryan who, from an acute angle, rifled the ball home. 0-1. Celtic sought to consolidate - Reilly and Kiano came close while the Phoenix number one made a number of good saves to keep the scoreline at 0-1.
At the start of the second half it was Phoenix taking the game to Celtic but while their passing was of a high quality it lacked the penetration to really trouble the Celtic defence. With the game delicately poised Celtic doubled their lead 15 minutes into the half. Ciaran Collins went on a mazy run before delivering an inch perfect pass to Kiano who again showed a predators finish to make it 0-2.
The goal deflated Phoenix allowing Celtic to capitalise further. Kiano turned provider as Reilly added a third. Minutes later Hughes won the ball and played a quick one two with Kiano before placing the ball beyond keeper to make it 0-4. Kiano duly completed his hat-trick with another right foot shot having been released by the hard working Evan Nolan. 0-5. With ten minutes left Donatus Mweke went on a run inside the box before, from the narrowest of angles, thundering a shot that came off the post and off the unfortunate Phoenix defender into the net. 0-6. To their eternal credit Phoenix scored a deserved consolation goal when a corner from the right was turned in by their ever alert striker giving their noisy supporters something to cheer about. FT: 1- 6.
And so an emphatic win for Celtic but the scoreline does not reflect the quality of a hard working Phoenix team who play the game the right way and were very much in the game until the last 20 minutes when Celtic got their second. From Celtic’s perspective the performance was less than vintage with some of their passing ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous where occasionally needless possession was given away. However there were plenty of positives too. The Castleknock lads showed the character needed to get back on track after some questionable performances. They scored eight goals (two were disallowed) including a hat-trick for Kiano which will do his confidence no harm at all. It was a much needed win and a stepping stone as Celtic will hope this performance will have put their indifferent form behind them as they look to mount a promotion challenge. Well done Lads. More of the same next week please.
