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Celtic Crazy got it spot on again for this one. 3-0 for the Celts after a goal-less first half. It was hardly an accomplished performance from Celtic and the 3-0 scoreline flattered them. The difference between the 2 teams was the quality of the finishing with Larsson's sharpness and Thompson's quality left foot strikes being the difference between the teams. Larsson had a chance early on from a free-kick just outside the box, but his strike went over. Larsson turned and shot from a Lennon free-kick but his trundler was easily dealt with by Craig Nelson. Ayr got the first clear cut chance of the match when Robertson received the ball on the right of the box. His right foot shot was saved by an alert Douglas. Half way through the first half, John Hartson had 2 attempts at goal. His first right foot strike went wide of the post. His second when he moved in from the right just missed the left hand post with Larsson running in. An injury to Guppy in 28 minutes led to the introduction of Alan Thompson. Another move down the right by John Hartson led to a cross destined for Larsson at the far post, but the head of John Hughes got in the way, clearing for a corner. Thompson was next to threaten, intercepting the ball and running down the left. Larsson was clear in the middle, but Thommo's centre was intercepted by the Ayr defence. Some dodgy moments for Celtic were to follow. Balde appeared to have a cross covered but Douglas intervened and flapped at it causing some consternation in the Celtic defence before it was cleared. Then a Lennon mistake wide right gave Ayr possession. It took a great last minute blocking challenge from Lambert to stop a strike on goal. Next Balde misjudged a ball over the top and the alert Grady got a shot in but it went just wide. In the very first minute of the second half, Crainey pumped a long ball to Hartson who headed it on to Larsson on the right of the box. His first time shot went wide. A minute later Henrik headed wide from a Thompson cross after Thommo had run down the left. Celtic's first goal was soon to follow. Didier Agathe knocked the ball past Lovering and moved in along the bye-line. Henrik Larsson moved off his marker to get in front of the keeper and chip home Didier's assist. Thompson gave a hint of what was to come in 53 minutes when he turned inside ran along the 18 yard line and directed a shot on goal which was clutched by Nelson inside the post. Ayr nearly equalised on the 70 minute mark when Balde got the ball caught under his feet, lost his balance and Grady pounce to strike from an angle. Rab Douglas did enough to divert his shot onto the bar. Celtic were to be greatful for Douglas again in the match as he made another 2 saves in a minute to deny Ayr. On 81 minutes, Agathe was brought down just outside the 18 yard box on the right. A fantastic swerving shot from Thommo went over the wall and past the despairing fingers of Nelson into the top right hand corner of the net. Thommo's second followed 3 minutes before the end of the 90 minutes when he collected a clearance just outside the box on the left. His stunning, swerving strike beat the unsighted keeper this time in the top left corner. All in all, a pretty disappointing performance from Celtic but we have made it to the Cup Final. Man of the match for Celtic for his 2 superb goals - Alan Thompson. Teams to follow |