Celtic B team lose out against East Kilbride | OneFootball

Scottish Lowland LeagueSaturday, December 16, 2023Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC… 0

EAST KILBRIDE… 2(Ferguson 35, Balde 37)

Celtic FC B suffered defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing out to league leaders East Kilbride on their return to Lowland League action at the Excelsior Stadium.

Despite creating chances in the first-half, a quick-fire double from the visitors just before the half-hour mark was enough to seal all three points.

Throughout the match, it was an entertaining affair with both teams looking to cause trouble for the opposition by playing out from the back and pressing the game high.

Most opportunities came from the two teams aiming to exploit the high lines, and early in the game Rocco Vata looked to send Daniel Kelly on his way in behind the EK defence. However, he was quickly smothered out.

The away side also had a number of good opportunities early in the match, but Josh Clarke was a match for those efforts, reacting quickly to a number of passes in behind the backline.

The Celts’ best two opportunities of the game came just before the 30-minute mark. Coming into the side, James McCarthy played a pinpoint pass to find fellow countryman, Rocco Vata.

The young Irishman took the ball past his marker before trying to reverse his finish into the bottom corner but he could only strike the side-netting.

Moments later, Daniel Kelly had the chance to score his second goal in as many games after he was picked out inside the area. However, the East Kilbride shot-stopper was a match for his shot, producing a good stop.

After failing to make those chances count, it was the league leaders who pounced and take the opportunity by grabbing two quick goals before the break.

Playing the back from right to left, East Kilbride captain Ryan Lockie cut the back ball to Scott Ferguson inside the area, who had the simple task of tapping home.

Just two minutes later, East Kilbride doubled their advantage in a similar manner, this time coming down the right-hand side.

Waiting in acres of space inside the six-yard box, Joao Balde was on hand to score from close-range and give his side a 2-0 lead.

The young Hoops continued to try and play their game in the second half, with East Kilbride going man-for-man and attempting to press the Bhoys.

Driving out of defence on a couple of occasions, Lenny Agbaire attempted to send Vata and Mitchel Frame on their way in wide areas. However, the Celts were unable to hit on the break effectively.

Josh Clarke was also called into action on a few occasions in the second half, producing a strong hand to deny the away side a third goal.

Unfortunately for the young Celtic side, they couldn’t find a way to goal and slipped to their first Lowland League defeat since October.

They will quickly have another opportunity to bounce back from that disappointment, though, in their third Premier League International Cup match up as they take on Chelsea this coming Wednesday.

CELTIC: Clarke, Quinn (Haddow 65), Mackenzie, Ferns, Agbaire, McCarthy (Cummings 54), McArdle (Ure 65), Carse, Vata, Kelly, Frame.Subs: Morrison, Osagie, Thomson, Dobbie