9th Dec. 2007

DDSL U-15B1

Palmerstown Rangers  2    Castleknock Celtic  3

Celtic, enjoying top spot in the league table, travelled across the Liffey Valley to take on Palmerstown Rangers, who were sitting in mid-table before kick-off. However, looking at the scoreline at half time, you would have been forgiven for thinking that their league positions were the reverse.  Celtic were stunned by their southside opposition who put in 2 goals to leave the visitors stunned at half time.  Part of the problem was that Celtic had a number of absentees through sickness, injury and unavailability, which left them with the bare 11 to start.

Dominic Martin, team manager, had to bring all his skills to the fore at the break in the hope that his team could turn it around.  They obviously knew they had the scoring potential, since they have been scoring for fun all season, putting 9 past Leicester and 8 past Leixlip, and are probably the most productive scoring machine in the league. But they were down a number of their players today.

The team talk soon delivered dividends.  The brilliant Vadim got Celtic's opener with a superb finish at the near post. 1-2.

Glen Doyle was then called into action and he had to make a spectacular save down to his right to keep  the margin at a single goal. Mossy Fay then stepped up, fired a 20 yard rasper into  the net to bring the sides level, and the sent the manager into dreamland. His faith in his kids had been vindicated. He believed and they delivered. 

With the clock running down, Mr Martin would probably have been content with a share of the points which would have maintained their unbeaten run, unlike Liverpool and Arsenal who both lost their unbeaten Premier League runs this weekend. With only 2 minutes remaining, if you wanted one player to get a chance, you would have named Vadim.  He has proved a thorn in so many teams' sides this season that he has all the opposition defences alarmed when he gets possession. No ball is a lost cause, he chases everything, and today he excelled once more.  With the sands of time running out, he got possession, fired in a fierce shot, ala Ronaldo against Derby County yesterday, from which Giggsy scored his 100th United goal.  But Vadim was not depending on anyone to pick up the rebound; he pounced to score past 3 defenders. Yet another 100 per cent performance and 2 goals to  his name. Definitely man of the match.

While  Vadim grabbed the headlines, one must also mention that this was a team performance above everything, though Conor Mooney and Victor Hangan deserve special  mention. With the Christmas break coming up in a fortnight, Celtic are well positioned at the top of the table and they will be able to go and enjoy their Christmas pudding, and well-deserved too.