AC Celtic finally tame Lions

AC Celtic came away from Canon Greene Park last Saturday with a deserved if hard-fought win over a very spirited Hodson Bay Lions side. It took late goals from Timi Olatunsi, James McGauchey and Shane Duffy to eventually put some gloss on the scoreboard, but in reality it was a much tighter game than the final score would suggest. Chris Roche got AC off to a flying start after just 5 minutes with a curling free-kick that looped over Seamus Smith in the Hodson Bay goal and into the roof of the net. The perfect start for the visitors. Cathal Mannion shot wide for AC two minutes later and, soon after that, Seamus Smith would make the first of a fine string of saves, when he denied Timi Olatunsi in a one-on-one situation. But there was noting Smith could have done about AC"s second goal on nine minutes. A threaded pass from Cathal Mannion found Shane Duffy unmarked in acres of space. With the goalkeeper advancing he coolly placed the ball to the corner of the net to give Celtic a deserved two-goal advantage. If things had kept going the way they were, Hodson Bay could have found themselves too far adrift to make a game of it. But, in a thus far rare attack, they managed to find a way back into proceedings. Their initial attack was thwarted by the AC defence but, showing a never-say-die attitude, Aaron Martin pressurised the AC defence before intercepting a poor clearance. With the "keeper advancing Martin could easily have gone for goal himself but he cleverly squared the ball to Robert Joyce, who had the simple task of tapping home to an unguarded net. It was refreshing to see such selflessness and intelligence from a player of Martin"s age when older players may well have had eyes only for the goal. Hodson Bay were back in the game but AC continued to attack with purpose. And the home side once again had Seamus Smith to thank for keeping them in the game. When Shane Duffy played Olatunsi through on goal, he looked certain to score and would have done but for the superb intervention of the Hodson Bay "keeper. About 30 seconds later, Duffy himself was through on goal but once again, Smith was alert to the danger and quick off his line to avert it. No sooner had the second period of play commenced than the home-side were on the back foot once again. They were dealt a blow just 4 minutes in when Chris Roche picked up the ball in midfield and, shwing superb skill, skipped past three or four challenges before rattling the ball to the back of the net leaving Smith, this time at least, helpless. Three minutes later, Robert Joyce had a gilt-edged chance to pull one back for the home side when he was put clean through on goal. But Eric Lynch was quick from his line to thwart his efforts. Five minutes later, AC should have been out of sight when a long clearance bounced over the heads of the Hodson Bay defence and into the path of Shay Fox. Fox took his time but his placed effort for the top corner came back off the crossbar and away to safety. A minute later, Chris Roche found himself with only the "keeper to beat but Seamus Smith was once again at the top of his game to deny the big midfielder. The missed chances were piling up for AC and Hodson Bay were to make them pay. Just before the end of the second period, a breakaway move saw Robert Joyce through on goal again. This time he placed the ball coolly and somewhat cheekily past the out-rushing "keeper and just inside the post to keep the home side in touch. Three minutes into the third period of play, the game had its first hint of controversy when a shot from AC"s Timi Olatunsi was blocked by Seamus Smith. But, despite the save, the ball seemed to bounce over the line and even hit the net. Smith managed to claw the ball away, however, and the referee seemed to buy it, waving play on. Christopher Killian then had a fantastic chance to equalise for the home side but saw his effort cleared off the line with the "keeper beaten. But with time running out and with Hodson Bay pushing men forward in search of the elusive equaliser, AC Celtic took full advantage of the gaps at the back to devastating affect - scoring three goals inside the final two minutes. Olatunsi found redemption for his goal that never was when he beat his man in along the end-line, before making absolutely certain that the ball crossed the line with a powerful shot. Chris Roche then afforded James McGauchey the opportunity to get his name on the score-sheet which he did at the second attempt with Smith having saved his initial effort. McGauchey then turned provider as he set up Shane Duffy for a cool placed finish to make the final score 6-2 to AC Celtic. HODSON BAY: Seamus Smith, Jordan Murtagh, Damon Daly, Aaron Martin, Darragh O"Grady, Christopher Killian, Robert Joyce, Jack Benson. AC CELTIC: Eric Lynch, Shay Fox, Cathal Mannion, James McGauchey, Joe Devery, Chris Roche, Timi Olatunsi, Shane Duffy.