- OUR PARTNERS
Celtic hosted Mid Sutton in this league game on a beautiful Porterstown morning.
The game between these 2 teams earlier in the season finished all square, however Mid Sutton have picked up a lot of points since then so a tough encounter was to be expected. The game started with Sutton on the front foot and Celtic a little slow in closing down the space and putting pressure on the ball. The away team were getting too much time to find their passes, however Charlie dealt with any shots on his goal very well and the midfield made up of Cormac, Connor, Declan and Owen Boyle started to find some space in more advanced areas of the pitch. Saleem who started up front got in behind the Sutton defence but could not find the net from an acute angle. Ross, Simon and Chesney completed the line up with Danny and Eoghan waiting in the wings to join the fray. The game was very even 15 mins in and the feeling on the sideline was a little extra effort when not in possession would be the difference between these 2 well matched teams. But 20 mins in Sutton took the lead, possession was lost in the defensive third of the pitch and the Sutton striker fired home from 15 yards giving the keeper no chance.1-0 to Sutton.
Celtic upped their game after this and Eoghan who had come on to play in mid field was setting an example by his effort to all his team mates, making good recovery runs and breaking up play whenever the away team had the ball on his side. Danny too was trying hard and was unlucky not to score just before half time, his shot bringing a good save from the Sutton keeper. Celtic were finishing the half strongly and Sutton were glad to hear the half time whistle. Everyone agreed at half time that this game was there to be won if the team could keep the effort up.
The second half had just begun when Celtic deservedly equalized, some good foot work by Eoghan, setting up Declan who finished very well,1-1 and game on. Celtic were playing some lovely football now, finding their team mates in good possession all over the pitch, and the back 3 playing back to Charlie when facing their own goal, giving their keeper time to distribute the ball up the pitch or out to the flanks. It was from one of these phases of play that Celtic went in front. The ball was played from Charlie into the middle, a couple of passes between Eoghan and Declan. Eoghan found the time to rifle home a shot into the bottom corner, Celtic 2-1 up. There were good chances to add a third goal that went astray, but to be fair Celtic never looked like conceding, and so it finished 2-1 to Celtic with Eoghan making a crucial difference today, not just for his assist and goal but for setting an example to all by his work rate and passing to a support player when they were in better space. Well done to all today guys on a win that was very much deserved. See you all Monday.
