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Celtic took on Mountview Boys in Mountview Park for a place in the semi-final of the Hollywood Cup. It was a very competitive encounter which saw the visiting Celtic team emerge victors after extra time. 5-3
After two months of a summer break, it turned out a cracker of a tie!
Celtic traveled to Clonsilla knowing this game would be tough and close given the home side had strengthened their squad.
The visitors started the game very nervously and looked nothing like the team few weeks ago. Their performance in the first twenty minutes was rusty and messy. This resulted in a goal for the home team from their first shot on target, but Celtic did not create much either in that first 20-25 minutes. After that goal Celtic started to put more pressure on the home side. Sean Odusole and James Caffrey had chances created by Dino Dervisic. But soon after that it was Sean Odusole who assisted Dino Dervisic for his 5th of the season. Good play from Robert Best and Alex McCormick in the middle led to Dervisic exchanging a 1-2 with Odusole and the ball was in the back of the net 1-1. Both teams went to the break feeling that they needed to do more in the second half.
Mountview started the better in the second half and soon were back in front. With two good strikers up front, Mountview played more direct and caused some problems for usually solid centre-back pair of Sam Doherty and Proinsias de Bhatuin. The Mountview striker Craig Moore seized on his opportunity to score for 2-1. Again Celtic started pressing the home team and producing more chances but with no luck as the home defence looked very solid. Another few good chances were not taken by the visitors’ Craig Hughes and Sean Odusole. Celtic were pushing more and more players forward which resulted in a lot of the space at back which again was exploited by Mountview producing quick counters. A penalty was awarded to the home side which was converted by Moore for his hat-trick.
Trailing 1-3, Celtic had to change formation from usual 4-2-3-1 to a more attacking 3-5-2. This meant that Klevis Malaj was back in his more natural position of wide left with Kacem Touihri and Alex McCormick playing wing backs and James Caffrey and Sean Odusole as the two strikers. This formation quickly proved effective, but the 2 “goals” were not given.
The visitors were putting the home team under more and more pressure with attacks coming one after another. Mountview were happy to sit back and play counter attacking football hoping to see the game out. But Celtic were rewarded for their offensive play, and they pulled one back through Klevis Malaj for 2-3. A few minutes later Klevis Malaj thought he equalised with a beautifully taken goal but again it was ruled out for offside!
With a few minutes of injury time added on for some stoppages throughout the second half and time wasting, everything looked over for the visitors. But Celtic kept causing problems to the home side on that left flank and with a neat pass from Kacem Touihri it was Malaj again who slotted the ball under the solid Mountview keeper for 3-3 and eruption of the celebrations at the away end!
The game went to extra time. Celtic had to change the keeper as Sabin Ghet was injured and could not continue, but the ever-reliable midfielder Olti Berisha who was giving 100% in the midfield throughout the match stepped in.
Celtic continued in extra time where they had left off at the end of the match and were attacking with more and more players going forward. The home team were getting tired and disappointed with those late goals for Celtic, and they could not withstand the pressure. The home defence were battling bravely until the last minute but unfortunately they could not see it out to a penalty shoot-out. Two of the quick attacks from Celtic led to two corners. Up stepped Alex McCormick and his perfectly flighted corners found Ciaran Murray who put them both away to give his side a 2 goal advantage which was how it ended.
All credit to the Celtic and Mountview players for a very exciting game played in a real cup tie spirit.
Castleknock Celtic are through to semi-final of the Cup and we wish our neighbours Mountview Boys all the best in their league campaign and for the rest of the season.