U9s smash 8 past Cup Final opponents

Celtic under 9s warmed up for the Primary Cup Final against Dukinfield Youth next month by defeating them 8-1 at Wright Robinson School on Saturday morning in a tremendous display of attacking football.

The 'B' team, as usual, kicked off first, but it took them ten minutes to really get going.  Indeed, the early introduction of substitutes Rhylee and Keenan changed the course of the half in a flash.  First, Rhylee's interception found Nathan who crossed for Bomber to score his 11th of the season to put Bridge 1-0 up.  Within a couple of minutes it was 2-0, Keenan smashing a shot in to the roof of the net from 10 yards.  A third goal came moments later, as Brad found the top corner with a fine free-kick.

3-0 at half time and cruising, but perhaps some of the lads thought the job was done.  Wounded, Dukinfield hit back with two break-away goals to reduce the deficit within 10 minutes of the re-start.  Celtic were unable to create much themselves, and it was Dukinfield who were providing all the energy on a very warm day.  With 4 minutes remaining, Bridge failed to clear a throw-in and following a scramble Duky tapped in to level the game at 3-3.

After a bright start, it was a very disappointing end and the lads must learn the job is not done until the final whistle goes.  For his energetic effort off the bench, Keenan picked up the man of the match award.

FINAL SCORE:  CELTIC 3 DUKINFIELD YOUTH 3

By contrast, the 'A' team were absolutely magnificent producing, perhaps, their best ever performance.  At half time it was 6-0 as Celtic played their cup final opponents off the park, with brilliant passing and movement that no team could have lived with.

Dan was lively out on the right, and his cross allowed Jack to open the scoring early on with a cool side foot finish. Dan was again the provider for number 2 after taking a pass from Josh and setting up Max to score.  A superb through ball from Max opened up the defence for Josh to run on to and score in off the post.  Dan made it 4-0, his intended cross for Max bouncing over both him and the keeper before nestling in the net and then picked out Max to add his second of the game and his 20th of the season.  Just before the break, Callum found Dan who again crossed for Jack to score his second cool finish of the half to make it 6-0 in the sunshine.  It really was a tremendous dominant display by all the lads.  Callum and Kai providing the coolness at the back to start possession that the midfield and front man thrived on.

Dan smashed in a beauty after the break for number 7, before Dukinfield finally got on the scoresheet, a scrappy effort that eventually went in off the keeper after hitting the post.  Jack hit the post at the other end and Max was twice denied by the keeper preventing the score reaching double figures, before Kai rounded things off following a corner for number 8.

Dan won man of the match, but all the lads involved were brilliant from start to finish.

FINAL SCORE: CELTIC 8 DUKINFIELD YOUTH 1

Training: Thursday at Curzon. Meet 5.50pm. The last time before we revert to Mossley Road

Next Match v Reddish Vulcans. Meet 10.45am.