Reserves v Celtic

Tuesday, 13th Feb 2007

After Iain Wiliamson`s early goal Celtic strike back to beat the Pars at Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC 3 DUNFERMLINE 1

With both club`s reserves being out of action for the last six weeks it was a cagey start at the Excelsior Stadium on Tuesday afternoon and it was the visitors who took the lead after just quarter of an hour from a nice move down the right.  Bobby Ryan`s endeavour set up Iain WILLIAMSON with a left footed shot from 16 yards and when the ball broke off a central defender keeper Michael McGovern was left helpless.

Dunfermline had their tails up and enjoyed a good spell with Scott Muirhead hitting the crossbar from a free kick 25 yards out on the left side. Ryan hit a long range effort over the crossbar while the Pars worked hard to contain the team that are 13 points ahead of second placed Dundee United in this league.

In 28 minutes Aaron Labonte sent over a cross that was blocked after Williamson had headed on target.  Roddy McKenzie was getting little to bother him whereas McGovern at the other end sprinted out to smother a loose ball narrowly ahead of Williamson. Just before half time Muirhead had a good effort on target but again the keeper came out on top.

Celtic responded to Willie McStay`s half time team talk to put Dunfermline under immediate pressure and then score three times in 8 minutes.  First it was Evander Sno who won possession and feed Bjarnason.  The Icelandic midfielder advanced and when challenged by Bamba slipped the ball to Michael McGLINCHEY for the 55th minute equaliser.

Three minutes later Calum Woods chased back as Bjarnason took the ball deep right and got in a cross that McGLINCHEY rose to head home from six yards.  Worse quickly followed when Jim McIntyre`s header from a Muirhead free kick was saved by McGovern, Celtic broke down the right from where Nicky Riley crossed and Kjartan FINNBOGASON headed into the top corner.

The Pars attempts to recover only saw McIntyre accept a chance from Williamson that McGovern saved and in a late flurry possibly Bamba deserved a `goal` from a Phinn free kick five minutes from the end but that was disallowed for a penalty box infringement.

Dunfermline provided a really good first half with much effort and pressure but with players who were returning to match fitness, tired in the second 45 and were severely punished for three moments of slackness.

CELTIC: Michael McGovern; Paul Caddis (Reid 79), John Kennedy, Scott Cuthbert, Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe; Nicholas Riley, Evander Sno, Bjarnason (Gary Irvine 83), Ryan Conroy; Michael McGlinchey, Kjartan Finnbogason
SUBS NOT USED: Fox, Millar, Cahillane
SCORERS: McGlinchey (55, 58), Finnbogason 63)

DUNFERMLINE: Roddy McKenzie; Aaron Labonte, Jamie Harris, Souleymane Bamba, Calum Woods (Clark Kay 69); Freddie Daquin (Nick Phinn 72), Bobby Ryan, Derek Howie, Scott Muirhead; Jim McIntyre, Iain Williamson
SUBS NOT USED: Scott McBride, Alan McDonough
SCORERS: Williamson (15)

REFEREE: Ramzan Bashir
WEATHER:
ATTENDANCE

NEXT MATCH: (away) v Inverness Caley Thistle, Tuesday 27th February.

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