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Derby bragging rights go to Celtic

10/ 4/2008

HPS Cup round one

Langley Rangers  0
Langley Celtic  2

CELTIC’S hopes of a trophy clean-sweep remain alive after a typically robust "Old Firm" derby at Bowlee.

Rangers were left kicking themselves for not taking some gilt-edged chances, especially in the first-half, and in the end Celtic could afford the luxury of missing a penalty as their hosts ended the game with 10 men.

This was a game which almost didn’t take place as Rangers, struggling to get a side, initially thought they were going to forfeit. Indeed some Celtic players had already left by the time the decision to play was made, respective managers Chris Roach senior and Steve Horan naming themselves as substitutes.

Perhaps the upheavals affected the recently crowned County Trophy winners more, as it was Rangers who used the stiff wind to their advantage in the opening exchanges.

Billy McCartney shot for goal from the kick-off and wasn’t too far over the bar, then a deep cross fell just out of the reach of Anthony Whitehouse with Celtic goalkeeper Matt Lever flapping.

At the other end Rangers’ goalkeeper Stephen Grimshaw saved superbly at the feet of Wes Bancroft, and it could have proved a vital moment as the ball was moved quickly to the other end of the field.

Jamie Cannon found himself with only Lever to beat, but a moment’s hesitation allowed the Celtic keeper to smother the chance.

A loose back pass put Lever under pressure again but the goalkeeper managed to hook the ball clear from the feet of Cannon.

Dean Shaw and the no-nonsense approach of Rob Kelly kept Rangers out, and the visitors came more into the game as half time approached.

Billy McCartney was on hand to clear off the line after Grimshaw had initially smothered Bancroft’s angled shot, and Kevin Beattie’s follow-up shot rattled back off the crossbar.

Beattie then beat the offside trap but couldn’t convert, while Bancroft poked the ball over the bar after good work by David Neville.

Extra time and penalties wouldn’t have been too welcome on a bitterly cold morning, and Celtic finally broke the deadlock after 51 minutes when Bancroft raced clear and, with Rangers appealing for offside, squared for Beattie to score.

That sparked a good spell for the visitors and they added a second when Bancroft controlled the ball superbly and presented Neville with an opportunity too good to miss.

Celtic had a big penalty appeal turned down when Chris Roach junior tangled with Bancroft, but referee Peter Johnson later ruled in their favour when Tom McCartney hauled back Matt Landrigan. He awarded the penalty and sent off the Rangers' defender.

After some shenanigans over exactly where the ball should be placed, Matt Hall decided to go for something extravagant and succeeded only in tamely chipping the ball into the hands of Grimshaw.

There was still time for Cannon to blast over the top with the goal at his mercy, but in the end Celtic were good value for a hard-earned victory.

They now face FC Radclyffe at Parkfield on Sunday in the second round – a match-up which will be a Premier Division fixture next season with Radclyffe guaranteed promotion and currently battling it out with Woodman for the First Division title.

Langley Rangers: Stephen Grimshaw, Rhys Jones, Jamie Marsland, Tom McCartney, Billy McCartney, Chris Roach jnr, Paul Cannon, Nick Stouger, Jamie Cannon, Anthony Whitehouse, John Zenzuk, sub Chris Roach snr.

Langley Celtic: Matt Lever, Craig Matthews, Rob Kelly, Steve Morris, Dean Shaw, Matthew Landrigan, Craig Buckley, Matthew Hall, Kevin Beattie, Wes Bancroft, David Neville, sub Steve Horan.