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Celtic too strong for cellar dwellers London Galacticos

Saint Paul's Celtic move level on points with league leaders MTV in an eventful match, winning 4-0 against bottom of the table London Galacticos.

Galacticos have had a torrid time this season, averaging 8 goals conceded a game, and find themselves rock bottom of the table and without a win in any competition this season. This form gave Celtic hope that they would be in with a chance of racking up enough goals to leapfrog MTV and go top going into 2010, however rather than concentrating on getting the ball down and outplaying their lesser opponents, Celtic seemed to assume that the win was guaranteed and yet again were slow coming off the blocks.

Slow start

Sloppy passing and poor decision making allowed Galacticos to get into the game and they caused problems through their strikers. Their tall centre forward is a gifted player and very good on the ball while his partner's pace and skill was a handful for McBride at right-back. Galacticos lacked any quality through the rest of the side, however their defence was organised, playing a high line to try and nullify the threat of Coull leading the line. The first 45 was littered with offside flags and the pathetic cheating by the Galacticos players.

Unsporting behaviour

The slightest contact was met with a squeal and arms and legs being thrown into the air, conning the officials and frustrating the Saint Paul's players. The frustration got the better of Kennedy midway through the first half when he grabbed hold of more than he should have when nutmegged by the Galacticos target man, the Celtic midfielder cautioned with a stern word from the match referee. The first clear chance of the match fell to Galacticos; a long ball over the top was latched onto by the quick striker and his Cruyff-esque turn took him inside McBride and one-on-one with Hamilton. There aren't many strikers in this league who get the better of the Celtic number 1 though and he rushed out quickly and made a great stop to deny Galacticos the lead. At the other end Celtic continued to squander possession too easily but Galacticos' pathetic behaviour didn't allow the game to flow and the assistant's flag spent more time raised than it did at his side. Celtic's first chance fell to Coull who got on the end of a superb cross from Beelders, however his near post header went agonisingly wide. Dowling had an effort from a free-kick flash wide but that was the sum of St Paul's chances in the opening half.

To reach the break at stalemate was unacceptable for a team of St Paul's quality and the half time discussion focused on the need to take more responsibility on the ball and for players to channel their aggression in the right way and not rise to the play acting of the opposition.

Quick off the blocks

There seemed to be a transformation during the half time break and St Paul's started the second half with a renewed hunger and it wasn't long before they took the lead. Some nice interplay on the right wing involving Rogan, Dowling and McBride ended with the full-back sending a lovely dinked pass over the defence which Kennedy raced on to. His first touch took him one-on-one and although his first tame effort was straight at the 'keeper his follow-up hit the back of the net to send Celtic a goal ahead. It was far from pretty but it calmed the Celtic players down and finally they looked like they were enjoying their football again. The defence started to look assured, the midfield trio were orchestrating play and the attacking trio of McGuckin, Coull and Rogan were pressing Galacticos high up the park.

The second goal soon followed with Rogan claiming his 4th of the season. A long ball from defence was flicked on by Coull and Rogan took the ball on his chest breaking into the penalty area. His first effort was saved but he was quickest to react to the rebound and swept the ball into the net. Celtic were growing more and more confident with each passing minute and had Galacticos pressed inside their own half. They were still a threat on the break however and with their diving antics still in full swing they won a number of free-kicks in and around the area. Delivery was poor though and dealt with easily by Hamilton and the solid back four of McBride, Beelders, Majid and McGinley.

Seeing off the game

The game was all Celtic at this point and they added a third 10 minutes into the 2nd half. A superbly delivered corner by Dowling was met beautifully by McGuckin, whose placed header evaded the 'keeper and defence for his 2nd goal in two weeks. McGuckin has enjoyed a new lease of life on the left wing and has formed an excellent partnership with McGinley in the left-back slot. It was a wonderful first time McGinley ball that gave Rogan a gilt-edged opportunity to add his 2nd of the night, however his too-cushioned header, almost from a kneeling position, was wide of the mark. With the game looking comfortable now Celtic made 3 changes with Blair, Tkaczyk and debut Bhoy Hughes replacing Rogan, McGinley and Majid. Hughes' first contribution was a yellow card after a stramash in the aftermath of a cynical foul on Kennedy just outside the Celtic penalty box.

While the game hadn't been bad-tempered there had been a few late tackles and this one sent the St Paul's midfielder into the air. Hughes stepped in to calm the situation but received a caution for raising his arms. The Galacticos midfielder received a caution himself for his tackle and almost received his marching orders along with Kennedy for trading insults. Galacticos were fading now and it was their turn to show their frustration, giving away cheap fouls all over the park. Chance after chance fell Celtic's way; Blair hit the post after a mazy run into the inside right channel when a square ball would surely have resulted in a goal, and Dowling had a contender for miss of the season having done the hard work in rounding the 'keeper and a defender only to shoot right across the open goal. Coull went close when his shot across goal bounded wide and it wasn't long before Celtic scored their fourth of the evening. A lovely ball over the top from the excellent Lacey, skipper in his last game for the Hoops, sent Dowling racing into the inside left channel and after ghosting past two Galacticos defenders he drove the ball home from an acute angle, more than making up for his earlier miss. There was time for a final moment of action from the busy referee when he was left with no option but to dismiss the previously booked Galacticos number 23 for another foul on Kennedy.

Looking ahead to 2010

So 2009 ends on a high for St Paul's in 2nd spot behind MTV, who have a game in hand, on goal difference. With a number of players returning to action in the coming weeks, and the introduction of new blood, 2010 looks like being a good year for the London Hoops. With only Drug Free World still to face in the league, and two cup competitions to compete for, it could be a very successful maiden season for Celtic but only if the 2nd half performances of the last two games are taken into the opening half. Far too often St Paul's are slow in starting and often it takes a goal to spark them into action. Confidence needs to be higher as there is no other team in this division with the abundance of talent at their disposal that Celtic have. So far so good however, and there is much, much more yet to come.

Man of the match this week goes to Stu Lacey in his final game for the club. He rarely wasted a pass and taking the captain's armband he was a constant voice of motivation and calm when required. Stu's contribution to the cause this season is on a par with anyone else's in the side and his passing ability and vision will be sorely missed. We wish him all the best on his return home to Oz and hopefully we'll see him in the Hoops again in the future.

St Paul's Celtic (4-5-1): Hamilton; McBride, Beelders, Majid (Hughes, 70), McGinley (Tkaczyk, 70); Rogan (Blair, 70), Kennedy, Lacey, Dowling, McGuckin: Coull