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“Six of the Best from Classy Celtic in Rathcoole”
On a wet wet Autumn morning Celtic travelled to Rathcoole seeking to extend their recent good run. Thankfully the rain subsided before the start as Celtic immediately set their stall out with some fine passing. However despite good play Celtic could not break down the hardworking Rathcoole defence, well at least for the first 10 minutes. The ball was played long to the left wing but easily taken by the Rathcoole full back. Conor Simmonds pressurised the defender and forced the mistake that saw Ace marksman, Esse Okirikpo give Celtic the lead. 0-1. Minutes later it was 2-0 in a move that saw good build up play from Andrei Ungareanu and Simmonds who found Esse who scored his second with another strikers finish.
To their credit Rathcoole recovered well and were making the Celtic defensive trio of Ryan Sherlock, Ryan Mc Gregor and Ben Forde work hard while keeper Max Ostapchuk was showing uncanny positional sense as he made three good saves. With 5 minutes of the half remaining Celtic scored a third. Luke Hughes played a lovely ball out to Simmonds where the youngster showed his quality as he waltzed by two defenders before finishing in style. HT: 0 -3.
Despite a 3-0 lead the Celtic Coaches were concerned with some defensive lapses and warned the Boys against complacency in the second half. To their credit the Castleknock players stuck to their task. Hughes was pulling the strings in midfield while Simmonds and Mc Gregor were giving the width. Rathcoole were struggling to cope but it was a breakaway goal which effectively secured the points for Celtic. A Rathcoole corner was cleared to Esse who powered through from half way to secure his hat trick and make it 4-0. Celtic kept pressing and a fifth duly came. Andre who had been having a quiet game by his standards was alive. The youngster had scored two goals already this season , both spectacular and this one was arguably the best. From midfield he powered through, past , past two past three defenders before powering home . 0-5. And minutes later Andre nearly did it again. Again he powered through from midfield. Past two defenders and just as he was about to pull the trigger he was fouled. As the ball rebounded outside the box Conor Simmonds hitting a stunning curler into the top corner. But no the Referee had blown for the original foul. “Maccer” Mc Gregor stepped up to curl a free kick that was well saved by the Rathcoole keeper.
With 5 minutes left Celtic scored their sixth and who else but Esse was there to hit a stunning strike into the roof of the net. Rathcoole to their credit never gave up but not for the first time strong tackling by Denys Yaskersky ensured Celtic kept a clean sheet. FT: 0-6
This was a tough day for Rathcoole and the scoreline does not do their team justice. In a tight first half both teams had their chances but it was Celtic who took theirs and with it the momentum that saw them home with three more goals in the second half. Rathcoole will know that in the exchange fixture it will be a much closer game but today was Celtic’s day. The secret of this teams success to date is their team play - All for One and One for All . There were great performances all over the pitch – Esse’s four goal haul earns him Man of the Match but Conor’s creative wing play and Deny’s defensive display were not far behind.
Well done lads. See you all Monday.
