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Twardzik penalty books final place against Dunfermline

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Patrik Twardzik Celtic news

A late penalty from Patrik Twardzik gave Celtic a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock to book their place in the final of the SFA Youth Cup against Dunfermline.

Celtic were without half a dozen regulars but rolled up their sleeves to graft their way to the final for the fourth year running.

Eoghan O’Connell and Calum Waters stepped in to replace the injured duo of Marcus Fraser and Joe Chalmers without a hitch helping Leo Fasan to a welcome clean sheet.

The first chance of the match fell to Celtic in the second minute when some trickery from Paul George on the right created space but O’Connell’s header at the back post was deflected wide for a corner.

Midway through the half Killie had a couple of half chances from corners but failed to test  Fasan in the Celtic goal.

In the 27th minute a great pass from O’Connell opened up the Killie defence down the left but Jackson Irvine failed to connect when Calum Watters sent an inviting cross into the penalty box. Five minutes later Irvine headed wide of the post from an Atajic free kick at the side of the penalty box.

Two minutes from the interval only the legs of keeper Devlin Mackay prevented Atajic from putting Celtic in front when the keeper blocked the striker’s shot following a great pass by Lindsay through the Killie defence.

There was a nervousness about the play of both sides as the clock ticked through the second half with the prize of a cup final place at stake.

The visitors had a great chance to take the lead in the 66th minute when Robbie Muorhead dispossed Darnell Fisher but his chip shot over Fasan slipped wide of the post.

Shortly afterwards Celtic made two changes with Lewis Kidd and Paul McMullan replacing Lindsay and Atajic with the breakthrough coming in the 75th minute from the penalty spot.

Following a move down the right the ball broke to Twardzik whose shot for goal was blocked by a defender with referee Grant Irvine pointing to the penalty spot. After a delay to deal with protests from the Killie defenders Twardzik rolled the penalty into the net.

In the other semi-final Dunfermline beat St Mirren 3-2 at East End Park after extra time.

CELTIC: Fasan: Fisher, O’Connell, Findlay, Watters: George, Miller, Irvine, Lindsay (Kidd 69), P Twardzik (Henderson 90): Atajic (McMullan 70)

SUBS: McNally, Daniels

KILMARNOCK: Mackay: Bonnar, Fisher, Slater, Hodge, O’Hara, Kiltie, Davidson, Muirhead, Winchester, Johnston

SUBS: Hainey, Dillon, Syme, Taylor, Pooler

 

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0 comments

  • Jimbo102 says:

    Well done the young bhoys. Good luck in the final. Hail hail

  • mark says:

    Well done lhads, what happens if dunfermilne go to the wall do we get the cup ? HH

  • Jack McKay says:

    Thought Killie should have had a player sent off in the second half , shocking tackle !

  • williebhoy says:

    Semi-finals are rarely open / entertaining matches. However all credit to the bhoys for reaching a 4th successive final. Another clean sheet and fully deserve all the compliments for knocking out Hibs – Hearts – Aberdeen etc to reach the final.

    Still to hit top form but understandable with the constant interruptions due to injuries. Even today we had a few players still a couple of weeks away from full match sharpness & half a dozen out injured any of whom could have expected to play.

    While I am sure the lads are used to playing under pressure, being at home and so near to a final would only have added to the tension.

    On the run-in now though, well clear in the league and now the cup final in our sights….could be a truly great double double season for both first team & youths.

  • Well don the Bhoys

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