::: Gorey Celtic FC

Sunday 18th October 2009
Bridge Rovers 0 - 2 Gorey Celtic

Celtics seventh league game of the season saw the Celts visit Castlebridge for a 3pm kick-off.

The game needed a battling performance against a young and mobile Castlebridge selection and was settled by two goals both from corner kicks. The game opened briskly with the Celtic defence coming under early pressure with the Castlebridge forwards closing down very quickly. It took the Celts a good 15mins to find their rhythm and start to pass the ball around comfortably.
The first goal arrived on the 16th minute when Liam Clarke floated a beautiful corner into the centre of the goalmouth only to find Darren unmarked and he duly dispatched a downward header low to the ground beating the keeper from close range. Castlebridge came close twice with a left footed effort just over the bar and then again with a header from a free kick passing just over the crossbar. Celtic nearly scored on the 28th min following some good play from Liam Clarke when he took on a player and sent in a nicely weighted cross only for Sean Feeney to head just wide of the post.
The Celtic men threatened once again on the 34th minute when Alan McArdle sent a long left footed ball over the top which Darren latched onto but could only dispatch a weakened shot when the ball unfortunately became entangled under his feet. Their next chance came on the 37th minute with Clyde Phayers forcing a save from the Castlebridge keeper following a nice pass from Sean Feeney. The second goal arrived soon after from another corner when dead-ball specialist Liam Clarke struck a beautiful in-swinging right footed curling ball into the near top corner which despite the keepers best attempts to parry struck the inside of the net to make it two nil.

H.T.: 0-2

The second half saw the early introduction of Damien Mordalski for Conor Lynch who had to withdraw with a foot injury. Barry Glencross came close after 59min when following a jinking run just outside the edge of the penalty area he dispatched an angular left footed shot across the goalmouth and just wide of the right post.
On the 69th min Liam Clarke forced the opposition keeper into a spectacular save when he struck a well placed free kick from 35yds which dipped toward the upper left corner of the net. On the 83rd min Mike Hassett replaced Darren and just three minutes later Sean battled to re-win a ball on the left side and dribbled inside and forced the keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Kris Nowak created a good chance only to fire a fierce left footed shot to the side netting just before full time.

All in all a strong team performance was once again the name of the day with the backs all defending resolutely the four midfielders all covered untold ground and showed nice dribbling and passing ability with Liam Clarke proving deadly from set plays. The forwards worked very hard chasing down countless long balls forward . (By the way John Murphy was delighted a serious candidate for back-up keeper emerged should Shay ever get injured when an un-named player (alright John, Alan!) produced the save of the match diving high and to the left parrying the ball to the sideline ,only trouble is, he was just a few yards inside our own half).

Team: Shay Redmond, Conor Lynch, Tom Croft, Pa Murphy, Alan McArdle, Barry Glencross, Paddy Callery, Sean Feeney, Liam Clarke, Darren O'Mahony, Clyde Phayres.

Subs: Damien Mordalski for Lynch (55 mins), Kris Nowak for Phayers (65 mins), Mick Hassett for O'Mahony (83 mins)