Happy Hoops backto winning ways

Still smarting from the defeat at Institute the Hoops bounced back and put in a strong performance to get back on track with 2-0 win over Lisburn Distillery.
Lurgan Celtic's Declan McVeigh moves in to put pressure on his Distillery opponent. INLM42-312AMLurgan Celtic's Declan McVeigh moves in to put pressure on his Distillery opponent. INLM42-312AM
Lurgan Celtic's Declan McVeigh moves in to put pressure on his Distillery opponent. INLM42-312AM

The home side started brightly and took the lead on 10 minutes when a perfect through ball from Dale Malone found Raymond Fitzpatrick who rifled a shot past the Whites keeper,just the boost the Hoops needed as they had been scoreless in their previous four games in both League and Cup.

Five minutes later Lavery got through on goal but rather than shoot he elected to pass to Josh Barton but the pass was intercepted and the chance was lost. Shortly after this Celtic had a gilt edged chance when Lavery crossed to Aaron Haire but his header smashed off the crossbar. The Hoops were well in control and McCann headed narrowly wide on the half hour while Lavery turned superbly and cannoned a shot off the crossbar.

The Hoops resumed where they left off in the opening half in control and the back four of Declan McVeigh, John Cochrane,Daniel Wilson and Adam Rodgers looked very solid. On 52 minutes another scintillating run by Lavery finally bagged the goal he richly deserved to take the pressure off the Hoops and double the score.

Then a great free kick from Malone found Fitzpatrick and he headed just wide as the home side continued to totally dominate play. Just after the hour mark Fitzpatrick found Barton who only had the keeper to beat but he blasted the ball wide. Ronan O’Hara replaced Barton and two minutes later Malone hit a shot from 30 yards which whistled inches wide.

Celtic saw the game safely out but on play the score could and should have been much greater but at least it was a return to winning ways with a strong and very professional performance.

McLeans Man of the Match was awarded to Aaron Haire for his work rate on the day

The match ball was sponsored by Brian and Ann Marie Kelly of Belle View Supermarket, Lurgan.

This week Celtic make the trip to East Antrim to play Ballyclare Comrades.

The Young Celts were away to Warrenpoint Town Youth at Milltown and were involved in a topsy turvey game in which the sides ended the first half scoreless but the second half turned into a goal feast when the home side hit two quick scores after the break and then a third. Celtic replied but Warrenpoint went 4-1 up, however in a tremendous display of character and self belief the young Celts rattled off three goals to end the game 4-4. Scorers for the Celtic Youth were Niall McKeever, Niall Skelton, Caolan Lavery and Tyler Burns.

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