10th December 2006
Brunlea Juniors 1 -
Trawden Celtic u17’s battled atrocious conditions and a spirited Brunlea Juniors side to claim all three points and stay top of the league.
A strong wind and freezing rain at the Prairie ensured that this was not going to be a classic. However, both sides produced plenty of bite in a game which saw four bookings, three of them for Celtic.
Brunlea, with three straight wins behind them, won the toss and decided to play with their backs to the wind. They were certainly up for it as tackles flew in and their number seven was booked after only five minutes for a late challenge on Jack Parker.
Celtic took the game to Brunlea, despite playing into the wind, and they took the lead on twenty minutes with a great goal. Jack Parker robbed the Brunlea left back as he was about to clear and he put in a great cross which Phil Shaw met with his right foot on the volley, and despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball, it hit the back of the net.
Brunlea started to get their game together and nearly equalised in a 15 minute spell just before the interval. A succession of corners led to a header being cleared off the line by Ben Gorman, who was in the right place at the right time. Celtic held out and were still in front at the break.
Half-time: Brunlea Juniors 0 -1 Celtic
Celtic now had the wind behind them and took control immediately. Tackles were still flying in and Calvin Anslow was booked when he brought a striker down near the corner flag.
Celtic went 2-0 up after 52 minutes when Ben Gorman followed up a long range shot which the keeper failed to hold, and he rolled the ball in.
Brunlea were relying on breakaways but struggled to get the ball out of their own half due to the strong wind. Iain Ross was then booked for questioning an offside decision.
Phil Shaw made the match safe with his second goal of the game to make it 3-0 with ten minutes to go. Then, a great run from defence by Chris Dodd saw him pick up Celtic’s third booking as he lost control and lunged in.
In the last minute, a long through ball caught Celtic napping and as Simon Lewis came out of goal, the Brunlea striker calmly took the ball round him and stroked into an empty net for a consolation goal.
Disappointing not to keep a clean sheet, but a well deserved win for Celtic, with top scorer Rob Lawless still serving a suspension, everybody played their part.
A strong wind and freezing rain at the Prairie ensured that this was not going to be a classic. However, both sides produced plenty of bite in a game which saw four bookings, three of them for Celtic.
Brunlea, with three straight wins behind them, won the toss and decided to play with their backs to the wind. They were certainly up for it as tackles flew in and their number seven was booked after only five minutes for a late challenge on Jack Parker.
Celtic took the game to Brunlea, despite playing into the wind, and they took the lead on twenty minutes with a great goal. Jack Parker robbed the Brunlea left back as he was about to clear and he put in a great cross which Phil Shaw met with his right foot on the volley, and despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball, it hit the back of the net.
Brunlea started to get their game together and nearly equalised in a 15 minute spell just before the interval. A succession of corners led to a header being cleared off the line by Ben Gorman, who was in the right place at the right time. Celtic held out and were still in front at the break.
Half-
Celtic now had the wind behind them and took control immediately. Tackles were still flying in and Calvin Anslow was booked when he brought a striker down near the corner flag.
Celtic went 2-
Brunlea were relying on breakaways but struggled to get the ball out of their own half due to the strong wind. Iain Ross was then booked for questioning an offside decision.
Phil Shaw made the match safe with his second goal of the game to make it 3-
In the last minute, a long through ball caught Celtic napping and as Simon Lewis came out of goal, the Brunlea striker calmly took the ball round him and stroked into an empty net for a consolation goal.
Disappointing not to keep a clean sheet, but a well deserved win for Celtic, with top scorer Rob Lawless still serving a suspension, everybody played their part.
No photo’s today due to the weather
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH - BEN GORMAN