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“Celtic do enough to edge home in tight encounter”
April already and only one game played so far. These are certainly strange times although there was nothing strange about the opposition Firhouse Carmel whom the Celts have met four times over the past two seasons. If past games were anything to go by, this would be a tight affair and today's game would see that pattern continue . Despite it being early season Celtic have been having serious injury problems with Jhonathan Zambrano joining Eric Hannon on the long term injury list although there was some good news with the return, having been sidelined for two months, of Dylan “Iron Man” Mc Donagh.
It was Firhouse who settled quickest. They were up for this game – first to the ball, first in the tackle and some swift play had Celtic at sixes and sevens. However as the half wore on, Celtic settled down and as we entered the second quarter Celtic held the upper hand. A goal duly arrived, Lloyd Turner drilled the ball in from the right with Leigh Reilly touching home from the right 12 yards out. 1-0. Celtic pushed for a second but in truth while having more possession never produced a quality ball in the final quarter to create any clear cut chances. HT: 1-0
The second half saw Celtic again enjoying more possession but, while both teams had impressive forwards with Celtic’s Sean Blood standing out, the defensive units of both teams ensured neither keeper was tested. Despite a lack of clear cut chances Celtic finally went two up when with 15 minutes of the half gone. Celtic’s Mark Hughes flew in a corner. The first effort was blocked. Then Donatus Nweke’s header looked like it was over the line. While the big defender was about to celebrate, the ref waved play on, but Sean Daly flew in at the far post to steer the ball home. The goal line technology is inconclusive about Donatus's "goal" - see photo - but it didn't matter in the end. The Firhouse No 1 was furious with his defence for allowing Celtic three chances to make it 2-0. Shortly after Blood nearly made it three with a header, a goal his performance deserved, only for the Firhouse keeper to save well.
As the game entered the final quarter Celtic began to tire. The game became open as Firhouse pushed to get back in the game while Celtic sought a third to clinch the points. With 15 minutes left Firhouse were through as their talented No 9 finally evaded his marker and it looked a goal all over until Celtic No 1 Tommy Bowe flew off his line to make a wonderful point blank save. He had earlier made an amazing stop when he spread himself bravely as the striker shot on goal which would have brought the sides level. The warning signs were there. Firhouse lifted their game. Another fine move saw another wonderful save by Bowe. Minutes later Celtic were cut open and only a valiant last ditch block by Messrs Daly & O’ Neill denied Firhouse. The storm had been weathered and Celtic saw the game out for a hard fought but ultimately deserved win. FT: 2-0
An enthralling physical game that gave the good crowd attending value for money. And so another close encounter between these two sides with no quarter given nor asked. Celtic got their goals at the perfect times and that proved to be the difference. Celtic were not at their best but kept their shape and took their chances when they came. There were some strong individual performances with Tommy Bowe and Sean Blood putting in their best displays of 2017 thus far. Two from two – a long way to go but as the saying goes “ a good start is half the work” - "Tús maith, leath na hoibre". Keep it up Boys!!!