Celtic U-19s 2, Dunfermline U-19s 1

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14861576.post-1158884801784570782006-09-21T22:23:00.000Z2006-09-22T00:26:41.943ZCeltic U-19s 2, Dunfermline U-19s 1WILLIE McSTAY'S young Bhoys battled their way to a deserved victory in blustery conditions at Barrowfield on Tuesday, with an injury-time winner from Cillian Sheridan sparing them the agony of throwing away two precious points. The Celtic youths totally dominated Dunfermline after a classy opening goal from Sheridan but a catalogue of missed chances maintained the visitors' hopes of snatching a draw. And when the Pars equalised with eight minutes to go, it seemed this extremely young Hoops side was about to be severely punished for their profligacy. All the more reason, then, for the late, late clincher to be celebrated with unbridled joy by the ecstatic - and mightily relieved - Celts. They had kicked off with big Irish lad Paul Skinner in goal, skipper Paul Caddis at right back and Derry kid Danny Lafferty on the left. Young giants Jason Marr and Andy Traub provided the central defensive partnership. Classy Mark Millar started on the right of midfield, Ross Hepburn and Sean Anderson were in the middle and Ireland's Graham Carey celebrated his return from injury by patrolling the left flank. Up front, the gargantuan Irish youth Cillian Sheridan was supported by the relatively diminutive Kevin Cawley. Conditions varied between torrential downpours and gale-force winds to pleasant sunshine. Typical Glasgow weather! But at times it made passing and judging high balls difficult for all the kids on the pitch. Not that it stopped the Celts racing into a fifth-minute lead, courtesy of a scintillating one-two down the right flank between Caddis and Millar which ended with the captain squaring the ball across the six-yard box to present Sheridan with an easy tap-in. The wee Bhoys then settled down to a compelling rhythm of tackling, passing and moving that kept their opponents almost permanently on the back foot. Millar and Caddis created havoc down the right, Carey showed nifty skill on the left, Hepburn and Anderson worked like Trojans in the centre of the park and Cawley buzzed about here, there and everywhere to link up play and pose a threat. After 10 minutes, Sheridan headed just over. Then Carey flicked a Carey cross inches past, before a Carey corner was headed past by Millar. After 23 minutes, a comical sand-dance shuffle by big Cillian bought him enough space 20 yards out to fire in a low shot that skidded inches wide. And two minutes later Carey and Caddis worked a short corner which ended with a Sheridan header being deflected wide. Unfortunately, Celtic lost their way a bit for the next 20 minutes or so, albeit in the worst of the weather. It wasn't until the stroke of half-time that Millar came close with a fierce 25-yarder that was saved by Pars keeper Greg Patterson. At the other end, Skinner had next to nothing to do, thanks largely to some forceful defending by Traub and Marr, who won just about every aerial challenge. At left back, Lafferty had endured a fairly mediocre first 45 minutes, misplacing several passes. But young Danny made a good start to the second half, setting up Cawley, who skipped past two defenders before cracking in a shot from the edge of the box that fizzed inches wide. That was the start of an immensely frustrating period for the brave and talented forward as he created - and, sadly, missed - a host of chances. On 48 minutes he was just a couple of inches short of being able to direct his header from a Carey cross under the bar. Then a powerful Caddis drive was deflected for a corner. And on 57 minutes Cawley came desperately close. Forcing his way into the box, he dummied a defender before firing a low shot towards the bottom corner, only for Patterson to produce a great save. Two minutes later wee Kevin latched on to a Sheridan flick and, one-on-one with the keeper, he tried to flick the ball home with his right foot. Patterson parried, but Cawley latched on to the rebound and shot with his left - only for the Pars keeper to block his effort again. It was all one-way traffic as the Celts chased the second goal that would surely have secured the victory. On 67 minutes, a Sheridan flick from a Caddis cross was saved. A Millar blast was deflected over, then Cawley jinked in from the left flank and fired in a shot from a narrow angle which was once again palmed wide by Patterson. Not that Caddis was impressed, with the captain volubly informing Kevin that he had been in an excellent central position for a pass. By now there was a hint of desperation about the Celts' play as they continued to fail in their attempts to convert their possession and skillful play into that all-important second goal. On 73 minutes Carey got on the end of a Sheridan pass, but slashed his effort wide. Then great Millar-Caddis link-up play set up a low cross which Anderson volleyed over - with his teammates queueing up behind him. Big Sean missed again when put through by Sheridan before Cawley headed over, this time from a Carey corner. Given such wastefulness, a feeling of foreboding seemed to transfix the young Celts after Millar, with a tired challenge, gave away a free-kick on the edge of his own box. Almost inevitably, from Nick Phinn's cross David Muir found himself all on his own six yards out to power a header past the helpless Skinner. The Pars celebrated their apparent great escape with great gusto. That was the queue for McStay to shuffle his pack. Striker Michael Graham came on for the exhausted Carey, with Cawley taking up the left midfield berth. Then Craig Connell came on for Hepburn, who had put in a phenomenal shift. Young "CC" went to the right of midfield and Millar moved into the centre. But that Pars equaliser seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Celts, who struggled to regain their rhythm. Yet just when it seemed that all they would have to show for their efforts would be a measly one point, a final burst of energy produced an incredible winner. Cawley was pushed as he leapt bravely for a bouncing ball just inside the Dunfermline half. A free-kick was awarded, which was taken quickly and shuttled out to Caddis, as ever racing forward on the right flank. To be honest, Paul's looping cross did not appear to be deadly, but the Pars had mucked up an attempt to play offside, leaving Sheridan free to glance a header past the stranded Patterson. Escape to Victory? You bet. But it was a thoroughly deserved win. And one which will hopefully give this young team the confidence they need for their next match - against Rangers at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie next Friday, September 29. It's a 2pm kick-off. Get there if you can and give the wee Bhoys a cheer. PLAYER RATINGS Paul Skinner: Tall, well-built Irish keeper had next to nothing to do - and no chance at the goal. But he came off his line sharply and his handling was good. It seems to me that his teammates trust him - a vital thing for a keeper. Paul Caddis: Captain Fantastic once again. Quite wonderful when powering forward on the overlap and made no mistakes defensively. Occasionally narky with his colleagues, but that's what being a skipper is all about. Links up well with Millar, but occasionally the pair give the impression of being a bit of a clique. Simply has to keep working hard and leading by example. Danny Lafferty: Poor first half, in which the tall left back's passing was largely either hesitant or misplaced. The fact that Carey hugged the flank meant he got few opportunities to get forward. But came more into it in the second half. Has to be more forceful and decisive in possession. Jason Marr: Now settling into a decent central defensive partnership with Traub. The strong wind gave him the occasional problem when judging high balls but he hurled himself into several powerful headers and tackles. Gave nothing away. It looks like all the hard work on the training ground is starting to pay off for big Jason in a position that appeared to be alien to him not so long ago. Andy Traub: Much more like it from this big lad. Used his strength and height to good effect, winning header after header as the Pars resorted to long balls. Was also much more vocal, bawling orders and encouragement and screaming his name when flying into challenges. One minor scare in the second half when he momentarily forgot that he's not Franz Beckenbauer and gave away a bad pass into the centre of midfield. That apart, he kept it simple, did his job... and left his keeper to freeze. Mark Millar: Very skillful lad, although still on the small and slight side. Looked a class act when on the ball and his interplay with Caddis was a joy. But I feel he could be a bit more patient with some of his colleagues who, unlike him, are new to this level. He'll find that the best way to lead is by example, not by frustrated sniping. That apart, Mark continues to look a real prospect, even though he has a LOT of hard work ahead of him. Ross Hepburn: Talented central midfielder, but here he gave his all for the team, running himself into the ground and winning tackle after tackle. Rarely gave the ball away either. Ross was a key reason why Dunfermline had to resort to long balls, as they had no joy trying to play through midfield. Subbed in the last few minutes after the Pars equaliser but put in a wonderful shift. Sean Anderson: Like Jason Marr, Sean has taken an incredible stretch in recent months and now looks 6ft-plus. But sometimes players can take a wee while to adjust to their extra height. That may be a reason for Sean being slightly disappointing here, as at times his co-ordination seemed a bit awry. But this attacking central midfielder came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. And I'm told he's a highly rated prospect. Plenty of ballwork, fast-foot exercises and agility drills may get this big Bhoy back on song. Graham Carey: Talented Irish left winger, with dazzling footwork, a decent burst of pace and fine delivery with his left peg. Was often double-teamed by the visitors after a promising start. Subbed late on, perhaps due to tiredness, as he was injured recently. Maybe has to add a bit more positional awareness to his game, so that he knows when to drift inside to open up the flank for the full back. And could also do with being more diligent as regards his defensive duties. Was slow getting back a couple of times and also had a finger pointed at him for giving Muir a free header at the Pars goal. Kevin Cawley: Could have scored six. Scored none. That just about sums up an incredibly frustrating afternoon for this skillful and spirited forward. But the fact that Kevin set up most of those chances himself reveals how much of a handful he was for the Dunfermline back four. Despite needing to stretch and fill out a bit, Kev lacks nothing when it comes to courage. Came deep to link up play, chased defenders, and took on men with ease. A real prospect with a first-rate attitude. Cillian Sheridan: The Irish giant caused the Pars all sorts of problems and celebrated with a double. His sheer size alone makes him an invaluable presence for this team, but pretty soon he'll be playing against PLENTY of players who can match him for size and weight. By that stage, he will have to have improved his first touch, pace, agility and co-ordination. At times Cillian looked a bit cumbersome here. But I'm sure Willie McStay and his coaches will be working hard to polish off those rough edges. Michael Graham: Skillful wee forward who is a year younger than most of the team - who are themselves a year younger than most of their opponents. Giving away two years is hard at this level. But Michael produced a couple of decent runs in the few minutes he was on the pitch. Craig Connell: Like Michael Graham, a Scotland Under-17 squad member. The talented midfielder didn't have much time to impress but at least he got a taste of the action. Will be needed later in the season when injuries and suspensions kick in. Subs not used: Fairley, McEwan, Kiely, Cahillane, Foley.Celticbloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11594960752264520028noreply@blogger.com