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A much changed Celtic side took the field against Alloa tonight, with only McNamara, Balde and Petrov surviving from the team that faced Motherwell. Celtic were a bit unsure in defence at first and Alloa threatened from set play with Tebily looking a bit shaky. However the attitude of the Celtic side was good. They stuck to their task and took the game to Alloa. The first goal settled Celtic and it was a bit lucky. Balde collected the ball on the right and moved infield. He struck the ball with his left from 25 yards and it bounced in front of, then over the unfortunate keeper who made a number of good saves in the game. The second goal was a delight for Morten Weighorst and the Celtic fans. A sweeping cross from McNamara on the right was met by a good leap from the Dane at the far post and the ball soared into the top corner. Maloney was partnering Sylla up front and he thought he had headed Celtic into a 3-0 lead but the strike was unfairly ruled out for offside. Celtic kept at it in the second half and Jamie Smith who replaced Petrov sent in a dangerous cross from the right. Shaun Maloney met it at the near post and his flashing header beat the keeper at his left hand post. Bobby Petta danced past a few defenders and prodded the ball home for Celtic's fourth. Momo Syllya also broke his scoring duck for the Celts. He jumped up to meet a corner from the left and his goal bound header was cleared but only to his own feet and he knocked the ball home from 6 yards. This was a fitting end to the game for Sylla as he had had a good night. The team never gave up and kept going right to the end with the Alloa keeper preventing them from adding to the tally. All in all a good night for the Celts so bring on Killie. One lady Celt who took a seat in the Alloa end also reported to me that the ladies toilets were clean and acceptable!
Man of the match: Morten Weighorst ALLOA: Soutar; Valentine, Cowan, Watson (Walker 60), Thomson, Christie, Hamilton, Fisher, Whalen (Evans 60), Hutchison (Curran 72), Little. CELTIC: Gould; Boyd, Balde (Healy 60), Tebily; McNamara, Petrov (Smith 45), Wieghorst, Petta, Guppy; Maloney, Sylla. |