Celtic Bhoys Academy loses out to a stronger Strangford
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
McCalls Premier Division, League Match: Saturday 30th November 2024,
Celtic Bhoys Academy 0 3 Strangford
Strangford made the short trip to a windy Ballyhornan for this local derby against Celtic Bhoys Academy and wasted no time in making their mark with two goals in the first six minutes writes Cyril McKinney.
After only two minutes Eoin Kelly put the visitors in front following a great left wing run and cross from Jack Fitzsimons which landed at the feet of the in rushing Kelly and he made no mistake from six yards.
Then on 6 minutes Strangford doubled their lead through their forward Owen Curran who found time and space in front of goal and he drilled a snapshot past the helpless McCarthy in the Celtic Bhoys nets.
Gradually Celtic Bhoys grew into the game but despite the best efforts of Carberry, Ferris and Connolly up front, they could not carve out any chances of note against the Strangford defence where they found Fitszimons, Polley and McFall rock solid. -time.
IT was 0-3 to the visitors at the break when Celtic Bhoys came out strong in the opening stages of the second half but could not create any openings of note, whereas Strangford had numerous chances but failed to capitalise due to the heroics of the young Celtic Bhoys keeper Gerard McCarthy who was only playing in goal due to an injury to the regular keeper who was injured in the warm-up.
Time and time again McCarthy was in the right place at the right time to keep the scoring down.
The game fizzled out with both sides struggling to deal with the wind but with the interval lead Strangford just needed to manage the game in the second half and were worthy winners.
Celtic Bhoys Academy: Gerard McCarthy,Taylor Loudon, Ciaran McMenamin, Riain Doran, Sean Cahill, Conor Carberry, Matthew McKee, Patrick Ferris, AN Other , Aidan Connolly, AN Other. Subs: Jamie O’Connor for Riain Doran, James-Dean McCreesh for Patrick Ferris
Strangford FC: Cathal Kinsella, Thomas Fitzsimons , Owen Curran, John Polley, Fionn McFall, David Shields, Shane Teegart, Rory Reilly, Jack Fitzsimons, Owen Curran, Eoin Kelly. Subs: Paul Donnelly for Thomas Fitzsimons, Aodhan Harney for Rory Reilly , Conall Magee for Owen Curran.
