Celtic’s u-17 side lost 2-0 today to Sevco at Murray Park.
It was a much improved performance compared to the 3-1 defeat from the same side at Lennoxtown earlier in the season but was still missing that certain something.
There were some impressive performances throughout the Celtic side but despite enjoying a few periods of dominance the home side seemed to carry a more aggressive streak in the final third.
Conor Hazard replaced Aidan McAdams in goal with Daniel Higgins drafted in for his first appearance of the season at this level, partnering Lewis Bell in central midfield.
There wasn’t much in the way of chances in the opening minutes but a body check on Michael Johnston that went unpunished set down a marker that the young referee didn’t want to upset the locals.
Midway through the first half Johnston hit the bye-line with Jack Aitchison forcing s decent save from the keeper at the expense of a corner from his shot.
The referee’s whistle could be heard after almost every appeal from the home players with a penalty awarded against Stephen Welsh five minutes from half time.
As the ball arrived in the six yard box Welsh tracked the run of the Sevco forward before he fell to the ground, if the referee was convinced it was a foul then a red card should have followed. As a cop out Welsh was booked and the home side converted from the penalty spot.
Celtic opened the second half strongly with Shaun Bowers and Keiran Campbell combining well down the right flank.
Two minutes after the restart Wallace Duffy headed over from a corner on the left, six minutes later Johnston’s shot went narrowly over from the edge of the penalty box.
Eleven minutes into the second half the Sevco centre forward was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card after a dangerous lunge at Campbell, shortly afterwards Johnston almost equalised but the ball seemed to be caught between his boots as he tried to scoop home Bowers cut back.
Fifteen minutes from the full time whistle the Sevco right-back cut in from the wing and curled a shot around Hazard to put the match beyond the hoops.
CELTIC: Hazard; Bowers, Welsh, Duffy, Church; Campbell (Henderson 86), Higgins, Bell (McLaughlin 56), McInroy (Antoniazzi 70); Johnston, Aitchison