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Spirited performance maintains winning streak
Celtic U12A's travelled to Kildare on Saturday to take on Celbridge Town and came away with a hard fought three points to take their winning run in the league to 8.
On a wet cold miserable day and short three players Celtic opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Brian Carolan won the ball in midfield and chipped a delightful pass over the Celbridge back 3. Striker Cillian Hegarty ran onto the pass and slotted the ball across the keeper whilst under pressure from the retreating centre half. A physical contest ensued on a soggy but playable pitch meaning chances were as rare as hens teeth but on a day that needed resolve and a tough mentality the Celtic boys were up to the task, a quality they have developed this season compared to last. Indeed two seasons ago the same teams played each other in Celbridge with Celtic losing 6-0. A measure of their progression.
Ben McDonagh, looking tanned and relaxed having just returned from his annual warm weather mid season winter break added quality from left midfield and Scott Sorohan and Malik Shushan ran themselves into the ground up front. Defending starts with the strikers in this team and their constant pressure meant Celtic were on the front foot more often than not. Sam Mulhern, standing in for Konrad for the second week in a row in goals, kept his second clean sheet, keeping his concentration despite doing his best impression of a drowned rat as the rain fell. Super saves when needed kept Town at bay. As usual James, Dauda, Jatin and Ben N were solid In defence, excellent covering for each other and playing as a solid unit. As the Town players got more frustrated so the tackles (some more appropriate to Twickenham it has to be said) kept flying in. Ref turned two blind eyes to most of them but the Celtic boys didn't once complain they just got up and got on with it. Football was the winner.
The second half was another evenly contested 30 minutes with Celtic playing the better football and despite very late pressure and another great save from Sam, the lads deservedly came back to Dublin with the points in the bag and a smile on their faces. 9 games played 8 games won, half way through the league schedule and things look good. Brilliant performance from the lads. Roll on next Saturday
