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Hat-trick Hero Nathan proves the difference as Celtic secure the points
The pre match Team talk was quick and simple – “ You have played well in the last two matches but , as a result of not taking your chances, ended up with 2 draws. Tonight your task is simple – play well and bring home 3 points.” Of course old foes, Leixlip Utd would have something to say about that.
Celtic started like an express train. In the first minute Mark Hughes weaved his way through feeding the ball to Leigh Reilly who just failed to connect. Minutes later the same players combined again with this time Reilly’s shot blocked. Shortly after Donatus Mweke played a long ball from well inside the Celtic half to Reilly. Reilly was well on side and timed his run perfectly – outpacing the defender and then slotting home with consummate ease. But No the ref ,who had been blinded to Reilly’s run, declared it “Offside”. All of this and still only 5 mins on the clock. Leixlip to their credit kept battling and with 10 minutes gone went one up. A failed clearance , a slowness to re-act allowed the Leixlip striker to finish well from a tight angle. 1-0. Celtic re-grouped. Sean Blood, Reilly and Hughes all had shots but no breakthrough. It looked like one of those days unless Celtic could produce something special. If not something then someone special………………………….. Step up Nathan O’ Reilly.
Hughes broke through , squared to Nathan. Left foot, first time and it’s a goal. 1-1 and relief. Minutes later Blood goes on a mazy run before being fouled on the edge of the box. He dusts himself off before seeing his well taken kick deflected left to Nathan – again, left foot, first time and its’s 1-2. Celtic were enjoying themselves. Soon it was 1-3. Antonio Neto who had a great game went down the right before cutting in and finishing from 20 yards with his left. What is it with the left foot!!! Three shots three goals. Celtic weren’t finished as Nathan completed his hat trick to make it 1-4 following a good run by Reilly who teed up the Hat-trick hero. HT: 1-4
The bench was used and the Coaches demanded more of the same. Celtic continued where they left off but Leixlip had had enough. Changes were made and they went for it. Their confidence was lifted when they got a goal back. A needless corner and a failed clearance saw their striker re-act quickest as he drilled the ball home. 2-4. Celtic sought to regroup but Leixlip were up for it and indeed nearly secured a third when they were denied what looked like a penalty as the Celtic keeper appeared to foul the Leixlip striker. Ironically this was the wake up call Celtic needed as they upped their game in the last ten minutes with Neto, Scott O’ Brien, Lloyd Turner, Blood and Hughes all having good chances that were well saved by the Leixlip No 1. FT: 2-4
First of all well done to Leixlip for not succumbing when 1-4 down and indeed at 2-4 looked like they may cause an upset. Celtic will be concerned that having been in complete control of this game they allowed the opposition back into it. However this game was won in the first half with a quality offensive display and a 20 minute hat trick from Nathan. A WIN and three points was what the Coaches demanded ,what the team needed and what the players delivered. Mission accomplished and you can’t argue with that. Well done lads and role on next week!!!