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“Celtic win battle of Hoops with Jeckyl & Hyde performance ”
Despite last week's impressive display it has been close on 6 months since the Celts enjoyed back to back wins and if the Boys really want to show they are a force to be reckoned with they need consistency of performance. This weeks challenge would come at home from Home Farm, arguably Ireland’s most successful Club over the years and if past history was anything to go by the omens were not good for Celtic. Played 6, lost 5 and never having kept a clean sheet against the Farm. However on the positive side, having dispatched one of Dublin’s other power houses, Shelbourne, last week the Celts were relishing the challenge that awaited at Porterstown Park on a bitterly cold but bright Saturday morning.
Celtic started the stronger and created some good opportunities before taking the lead after 15 minutes. Antonio Neto played an early ball to Kiano Ryan out right who beat the defender before crossing for Leigh Reilly who forced the ball home from 3 yards out 1-0. Celtic were in total control and another goal was inevitable. Unfortunately for Celtic they conceded against the run of play. Again, not for the first time this season it was self inflicted. Poor delivery resulted in a Celtic player having to turn his back to goal before being dispossessed by a Home Farm player. An early ball found the on running midfielder who saw his mishit shot loop over Celtic keeper, Tommy Bowe, giving him no chance. 1-1
The equaliser gave Home Farm belief as they battled for every ball and while Celtic were the more dominant force they were struggling to break down a resolute Farm defence. HT: 1-1.
The next goal would be crucial and it was Celtic who always looked the more likely. Kiano & Reilly both had good chances while the impressive Dylan Mc Donagh blasted over. A goal duly came with Kiano breaking from 30 yards out before outmuscling the defender and confidently placing the ball past the Farm keeper. 2-1. Soon it was three. Mark Hughes, who was having a titanic battle with the Farm playmaker, won the ball in midfield before launching forward. Despite being fouled, and credit to the Referee for playing advantage, he played the ball out wide to Ciaran Collins who played an early ball to Dylan whose shot came off the defender and into the net. 3-1.
Home Farm were on the ropes. Chances came, chances went and Celtic, as they have done repeatedly this season, took their foot off the pedal. Farm pushed forward and got their reward albeit with a fortuitous goal. Again a poor clearance, again a failure to tackle and a deflection saw the ball bounce into the net. 3-2 and seven minutes to go. With three minutes to go Farm broke into the box where their winger went down under a challenge from Franc Ajunomah. There were shouts of penalty but the Ref waved play on and with it went Farm's last chance of a draw. FT: 3-2.
First of all credit to Farm , who despite their lowly league position, never stopped working and on another day could have secured a draw. For Celtic this was another case of doing the hard work to get in front and then trying to hand the game back to the opposition. At times their play was majestic but they mixed the brilliant with the bad a la “Jeckyl & Hyde” and this will be their undoing unless they solve the problem soon. On the positive side for Celtic this was a win and three points, it was their first league win against their bogey team, it was their second win on the trot for the first time in 6 months it is a win that gives them 10 points from the last 12 and pushes them up the table. So what has the last month taught the Celts – put simply they are good enough to challenge but only if they give 100% effort 100% of the time, a mantra that John Giles would echo.
