- OUR PARTNERS
This was a case of a team not getting its just desserts. The grey skies chucked it down from early morning and refused to turn off the tap. When we expected it to take a break, it intensified. But the lads from Castleknock and Manortown carried on regardless. Both sides tried to play football in the atrocious conditions, with the middle of the park like a quagmire. Celtic had so much of the play that you wondered which team was in the top 4 in the league table. But it was again the defence getting caught square that was the visitors' undoing for the first goal. The 'town striker broke forward, leaving Celtic defenders in his wake, and his shot ended up in the net. The home side were one goal to the good at half time, but we wondered how, after all, Celtic had been more than a match for their opponents in almost every aspect of the game.
The second half was similar, but Celtic were getting even more chances, but controlling the ball was becoming even more difficult, especially in the 18 yard box where numerous chances went abeggin'. Midway through the second half, the ubiquitous Ryan Brady broke down the right, having received the ball from Daniel Hanrahan who was trying to set up attacks with his clearances. Ryan made his way to the backline before whipping the ball into the 'town box where Ryan Shiels got possession before laying it off for Gentian Ramadani who was again on the mark as he lofted the ball over the keeper - another fine goal from the midfielder who only knows one thing, i.e. give it 100 per cent. Angelo Horincar was linking with his midfield but despite his and his team mates' efforts, they would not breach the home defence again.
In fairness, it was not all Celtic as Manortown did have chances, and they were foiled by some magnificent defending by Rashid Elmowag and man of the match Devang Mehta who was having his best game in a Celtic shirt this season. The principal reason they were being foiled however was the bravery of Darius Horincar who repeatedly was diving at attackers' feet to prevent goals. 10 minutes from time, it was another fortuitous goal against Celtic that was to take the gloss off a great game for Celtic who had put in great effort to get something from the game. Apart from the lads mentioned above, there were also fine performances from Gareth Corpuz who was back to his best, Ryan Shields who was showing his creative ability in the middle of the park, Ahmed Shah who gave the 'town defenders a torrid time and was unlucky not to score, and Matthew Coughlan who put in a big shift, being asked in quick succession to chase the defenders at one end and support the attacks at the other. Well done boys and we hope you have dried out well after one hell of a soaking. See you all Thurs.
Finally, best wishes to Kamil Suchomski who had to withdraw from the starting line-up with an injured toe. We wish him a speedy recovery.
