Strangford FC Dominate Visitors Celtic Bhoys Academy At The Links
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Premier Division, League Match,
Venue: The Links, Strangford on 13th December 2024.
Strangford 7 0 Celtic Bhoys Academy.
Two weeks on from their last meeting Strangford entertained their near neighbours Celtic Bhoys Academy at The Links and turned upo the heat on the visitors writes Cyril McKinney.
It was the visitors that started brightly and looked the more likely to break the deadlock in the opening quarter of an hour.
But as Strangford started to grow into the game they imposed themselves and took the lead on 19 minutes through a thumping volley from centre back Thomas Fitzsimmons from a right wing corner.
Before Celtic Bhoys could respond Strangford went two up on 26 minutes through Jack Fitzsimmons with a clinical finish lashing a great shot to the far corner of Nathan Currans net as he cut in on the left wing.
Minutes later Fitzsimmons picked up an injury and was withdrawn. Celtic Bhoys kept pressing forward but could not find a way through a stubborn Strangford rear guard.
Then on 36 minutes Aodhan Harney made it 3-0 following great work and shot from Rory Reilly on the right wing which was well saved by Celtic keeper Curran but fell kindly for Harney who lashed the ball home.
Celtic Bhoys best chance to get one back fell to Patrick Ferris on 40 minutes but Strangford keeper Kinsella made a fine save to leave it 3-0 to the home side at the break. Indeed Celtic had their veteran keeper Curran to thank for keeping the scoreline down with a number of saves including three one-on-ones .
Into the second half and the visitors were caught cold when Eoin Kelly nodded home from six yards from a Reilly header on 48 minutes before that man Kelly raced clear on the hour mark and made it 5-0 giving Curran no chance.
By now Celtic Bhoys Academy were a beaten side but the goals kept coming on 80 minutes through an excellent finish from Strangford number 9 Owen Curran and then Ciaran Evans got in on the act making it 7-0 on 83 minutes with another good finish. Strangford were the better side and good value for this win on a very uneven bumpy pitch.
Strangford FC Will now be focussed on their final against Drumaness Reserves in Boxing Day, 26th December, at 11.30am at the Robert Adams Park in the NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup Final.
***
Strangford FC: Cathal Kinsella, Conall Magee, Thomas Fitzsimons , John Polley, Paul Donnelly, Shane Teggart Rory Reilly, Owen Curran, Eoin Kelly, Jack Fitzsimons, Aodhan Harney. Subs: David Shields, Eoin Watterson for John Polley, Ciaran Evans for Jack Fitzsimons.
Celtic Bhoys Academy: Nathan Curran, Taylor Loudon, A N Other, Ciaran McMenamin, A N Other, Conor Carberry, A N Other, Matthew McKee, Jamie O’Connor, Aidan Connolly. Subs: Rukabi Abdulkader, James-Dean McCreesh for Jamie O’Connor.
