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Celtic travelled to Lakelands in Stillorgan for this league fixture. On a near perfect pitch in nice sunshine, the stage was set for Celtic to continue their good form. Charlie in goal gave the instructions from the back, telling his defence to cover and get shape, Simon, Ross and Daniel at the back, midfield was Owen B and Declan, with Eoghan and Connor on the flanks and Danny leading the way up top.
Celtic started as bright as the morning sunshine and soon had their passing game going all over the pitch. Danny was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions, good interplay setting him up to get his shot away. Some more neat passing and good movement nearly had Declan in on goal, some last ditch defending saving the home team. Ross was troubling the Lakelands defence on the right side, supporting Connor in front of him and overlapping when he had the opportunity. It was from one of these runs the first Celtic goal came, the ball being crossed into the box, a quick and perfect pass from Danny, giving Owen the time and space to finish. Cormac and Saleem who had come on at the midway point in the half fitted seamlessly into the pattern of play and Cormac added a second. Good battling by Danny allowing Cormac to head in at the far post. At the other end Lakelands were finding it tough going against Simon and Daniel, in fact Daniel was fantastic the whole game, whether it was attacking down the left flank or covering Simon in the middle, at one point throwing himself to block a goalbound shot.
Owen B added a third with a neat finish after more good attacking play, and completed his hat trick before half time with a good finish from the edge of the area. To be fair to Lakelands their heads never dropped and they pulled one back early in the second half, but they just could not deal with the passing and movement from this Celtic team today. Connor got in on the scoring act finishing neatly from inside the box to make it five before Danny rattled in 2 quick fire strikes to make it 7, the first a net buster into the top corner. Declan then almost got in on the act, his header drawing a top save from the home keeper. Lakelands got a second but this game had long been put to bed, Connor finishing the scoring with a super bit of skill in the penalty area to create the space for a neat finish. So it finished 8-2 to Celtic with a really good display from front to back.
Hard work when not in possession and good timing of our movement, combined with good and fast movement of the ball, means this group are really developing into a proper team. Well done to all today lads. Super performance and see you all Monday
