Great to get back to playing – we’ve had no matches the last 2 weeks it was great to get a fixture, we played last years league and cup winners in what was an evenly contested game.
We had the better chances in the first half the best of which the Celtic boys keeper saved at the feet of Rory Timoney after great work from Marc McCann to win back possession in midfield and pick out a lovely through ball for Rory to accelerate away from the centre backs only for the keeper to slid out at his feet and make a brave save.
Odhran Sherry was unlucky not to pick out Jamie Wilkinson after a great run down the right from Eamon Swail, he exchanged passes with Odhran who tried to pick out Jamie only for the defender to get a vital touch.
Declan Magee also had a half chance after good work from Joe Tunney to get away from his man and slid a ball through for Declan who tried to dink the ball over the keeper who again made a smart save.
We were getting a bit of joy down the flanks with Eamon Swail linking well with Odhran Sherry down the right and Harry Graham and Declan Magee on the left, Harry was having a super game snapping into tackles and stamping his authority on his man.
Celtic Boys didn’t create much in the first half due to Aidan Martin and Chris Blaney at the back who were being aggressive and commanding , Ewan Wilson in goal made a couple of clearances from balls over the top and one good save with his feet at the near post.
I thought we just shaded the first half and was disappointed not to be ahead at the break i just told the lads to keep at it and believe.
We started the second half with a bit of pace and looked to go for it pinning them back but we couldn’t get the first goal so we made a couple of changes as the tempo just started to drop, we brought on Eugene Hale in place of Declan Magee for his debut and he started well cutting in from the left taking on the defender and cutting across him only for the keeper to rush out and block but the rebound fell to Marc McCann who had his effort blocked on the line.
We got what we deserved when Eugene picked out Odhran with a great cross field ball Odhran rounded the keeper and tucked home for 1 – 0 the second quickly followed when Marc McCann picked out Rory Timoney who this time took the ball round the keeper and finished from a tight angle for 2 – 0.
That was Marc McCann’s last contribution as he came off injured after a real captains performance he was replaced with Matthew O’Rourke who slotted in and done a real solid job in front of the defence.
Jamie Wilkinson then put Eugene Hale clear he showed great pace to get away from the defender and calmly finish with a goal on his debut to make the score 3 – 0.
Gary Topping replaced Odhran Sherry down the right and he played very well he linked up with Jude Lynam who went on in place of Rory Timoney to create a chance for Joseph Tunney only for the defender to block when the ball looked to be heading in.
We held on for the victory and showed great leadership tonight from Aidan Martin, Marc McCann and Harry Graham well done lads a good performance.
Squad
Ewan Wilson, Aidan Martin, Eamon Swail, Chris Blaney, Harry Graham, Joseph Tunney, Jamie Wilkinson, Marc McCann, Odhran Sherry, Declan Magee, Rory Timoney, Jude Lynam, Gary Topping, Niall Tunney, Matthew O’ Rourke, Eugene Hale, Joe Tolan
Goal scorers
Odhran Sherry
Rory Timoney
Eugene Hale
Man of the match
Harry Graham – super performance knew when to sit and when to go and won every tackle enforcing his will on a difficult opponent.