Willows FC  1    Castleknock Celtic 3

AUL Div3 Sun

5th Oct 08

The AUL Div 3 Sunday side retained their 100% to the seaon with a convincing 3 -1 win over table toppers Willows in Ballymun.  On a wet pitch that was not conjusive to free flowing football, the Castleknock lads showed good skill and total commitment in overcoming the opposition. Aware that the opposition had only lost in 1 of their previous 6 outings, Celtic started with a 4-5-1 formation to allow time to settle. This proved very solid and the visitors were well in control but were not threatening up front to any great extent. However, a switch in formation saw Eoin O'Shea move from midfield to support Chris Hoey up front. This moved payed off when a terrific ball from midfield found Eoin who rounded the keeper to score Celtics 1st goal. Celtic continued to dominate and were rewarded when Eoin scored a 2nd to bring his tally for the season to 5 goals. The Celtic back 4 were superb and the home side only had one shot on target for the whole first, a snap shot that was well turned aside by Celtic net-minder Thomas McElroy. 

The second half started with a more determined Willows side but the Celtic back 4 were up to the challenge. Aaron McAdam was again magnifient in the midfield ably supported by Vinny Corry. O'Shea's quest for a hat trick came to an abrupt end when he shipped a heavy tackle and had to be replaced. This change saw Ray Kelly push forward and this was later rewarded when Ray chipped a lovely ball across the box for Chris Hoey to head home for Celtic's 3rd. Willows upped their game again but were never really a threat as Celtic's "Double B"  centre of Boyle & Brown marshalled the defence well. In the dying minutes Stephen Boyle brought down a Willows forward and the home side were awarded a penalty which they converted despite a super effort by McElroy, who got both hands to the ball but was beaten by the power of the shot. Another good result for a good Celtic side. 

Team: T McElroy, A Sherwood, F Brown, S Boyle, G McIlkenny, C Kennedy, A McAdam, V Corry, R Kelly, E O'Shea, C Hoey: 

Subs: S Cummins (on for Sherwood) I Wall (on for Corry) C Whelan (on for O'Shea) M McLoughlin