CELTIC PARKED

SKB 4-0 PARK CELTIC

Our Sunday team got back to winning ways today with a dogged and determined performance over a newly promoted Park Celtic side. Not having played a competitive game since the end of Novemeber was not the best preparation, but, the couple of friendlies our lads had gave us enough time to iron out a few problems. The game was played on an uninspiring Ellenfield pitch which at times threatened to spoil any attempt to play our style of football. This showed mainly in the first half as our lads struggled to get into a rhythmn and this also aided Park Celtic as we were caught out in the attacking third on a couple of occasions and had to rely on a very smart save from Jamie Casserly who was filling in for the injured Ian Brunton. This was not the only change to the squad, Conor Ennis had to pull out on Thursday due to a bout of the flu and he hadn't recovered in time so Cathal Culligan came in to deputise.

It was 0-0 at the break and it looked as if the game may have been heading for a draw, or even worse Park sneaking a late goal. However, our lads were told to buck up their game and not give Park any more credit than they had been given earlier in the game. Soon after the re-start we found ourselves 1-0 up thanks to a neat finish from Joe Manley after he deputised from a poor kickout and struck into an unguarded net from 20 yards out. Soon later we were 2-0 thanks to some good chasing down by David O'Hanlon after he challenged for a cross and he ball rebounded off him and went into the net. We then made a few changes and things went a bit sloppy for a few minutes but Joe Manley was once again at the forefront of us regaining control of the game. he made a great hazy run into the box and squared a ball off to Sam Ennis and he struck one away from a tight angle.

As Andy Gray phrases, "That one came out of the top drawer", could be heard being echoed around Ellenfield Park as Sam Ennis put away what has to be a contender for the best goal ever seen. Having come back to cover in defence he picked the ball up in the right full position and proceeded to defy all the shouts of a coach who wishes to remain nameless of "Switch it, switch it". Having chosen not to take this advice it was agreed that he would only be let off if he scored, and let off he was when he cut across the edge of the box and fired one into the back of the net having run almost 40yards. Amazingly he still had enough left in the tank to celebrate!!.

This completed an effective performance but the lads were told that they are expected to play better in future games and are expected to be more ruthless with teams. However, it does get us 3 points on the board and give us a good platform to push on from next week when we visit our local rivals Home Farm.

P1 W1 D0 L0 F4 A0 Pts:3

Captain today was BRANDON CURTIS

MAN OF THE MATCH: SAM ENNIS

Next Fixture is AWAY: Home Farm, 03/02/07 @ 10:30, Whitehall VEC, Swords Rd.