Rossglass County Development Squad traded goals with Celtic Bhoys Athletic until the unlucky 15th winner for Celtic
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
McCalls Division 2 League Match,
Venue: Dunleath Park, 3 1 26,
Final Score: Rossglass County Development Squad 7 Celtic Bhoys Athletic.
On a freezing cold day at Dunleath Park when most of the Saturday fixtures were cancelled due to pitches being ice-bound, Rossglass County Development Squad faced a challenging Celtic Bhoys Athletic and managed to steal the match with a late extra-time goal writes Jim Masson.
Celtic started off pressing forward and a long through-in from Cameron O’Donnell but Rossglass defender Shane Todd cleared well. Sean Ferris seemed to rise to the occasion and had two shots at the Rossglass goal, one going over and the second being saved. Celtic were pressing more.
Ferris then eventually scored again and this was followed by a blast on target for another goal from Brendan Laverty.
Sean Ferris missed two fairly easy opportunities in the first half but made up for it with a hat-trick with goals in the 20th, 61st and 88th minutes to keep Celtic in contention in this fast paced match.
Brendan Laverty also enjoyed a hat-trick for Celtic on the 47, 72nd and took the winning goal on the 91st minute to steal the game from Rossglass who has fought so well.
Cameron O’Donnell hit low to the back post in the 9th minute followed 2 minutes later and Steven Laverty deflected in an own goal in the 11th minute.
Initially it was Celtic who did the pressing but Rossglass came back into the game well but a break from Padraig McConvey saw him take another goal for Celtic taking the lead once more.
Rossglass winger Chris Reid pressed forward and hit just wide then a long ball to Jack Sharvin saw him run at the Celtic goal and slip the ball past keeper Sean Dalton.
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Rossglass were certainly warming up and Declan Dowie was unlucky not to score close in when keeper Dalton made 2 quick reflex saves. Dowie appeared to be the point man for Rossglass. Eventually his hard work paid off and sub Brendan Laverty put the ball through to Dowie who rounded keeper Sean Dalton to score bringing the score to 3-3.
The first half closed with Rossglass midfielder Jack Sharvin having a pop at the Celtic goal but again Dalton was sharp and caught the ball well.
As the second half started, Christopher Reid hit a long ball at the Celtic goal and scored to put Rossglass into the lead.
But Celtic replied one minute later with a Brendan Laverty goal.
And minutes later Rossglass’ Cameron O’Donnell scored from the spot when a penalty was awarded.
The play was relentless despite the poor weather conditions and in the last 21 minutes, the game hung in the balance despite both sides scoring well.
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On 70 minutes Chris Reid scored well to be countered 2 minute slater by a Celtic goal from Brendan Laverty. Then Rossglass stayed in contention with a goal from Conor. On 88 minutes the teams were again deadlocked with another goal from Ferris going into extra time at 7-7.
But it was Brendan Laverty who scored the winner in one minute into extra time as keeper Hagen failed to block the ball and it cruelly rolled in unchecked to the Rossglass back post making another comeback unlikely.
Celtic nicked the game in the dying embers. Conditions were brutally cold and despite scoring 7 goals, it was Celtic who won the bragging rights on the day.
Sean Ferris had a better second half, and clicked well with Brendan Laverty. And Rossglass player Christopher Hamilton also played well opening up the game with some fine crosses and passes.
Rossglass County Development Squad: 1 Daniel Hagen (GK) 2 Cameron Taylor 3 Gary Walker 4 Shane Todd 6 Jack Sharvin 7 James Cusack 9 Declan Dowie 10 Conor Steele 11 Christopher Reid 15 Christopher Hamilton. 16 Eden Reid (C). Subs: 12 Ciaran Brannigan 13 Patrick Houston 14 Bailie Telford.
Celtic Bhoy Athletic: 1 Sean Dalton (GK) 2 Conor Carberry 3 Roman Tilley 4 Steven Laverty 5 Luke McKay 6 Casey Magee 7 Padraig McConvey 9 Cameron O’Donnell (C) 10 Sean Cahill 11 Sean Ferris. Subs: 12 Odhran Daly 14 Tyler Fung 15 Brendan Laverty.
