St Paul's FC | Football, London | stpaulsceltic.co.uk

Celtic stumble at the top

Saint Paul's Celtic suffer their first defeat over 90 minutes, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Kismayo.

Kismayo move to within 1 point of the Hoops following a 2-1 victory on Monday night. For the match to have been a contest, both sides were required to turn up, however it looked that Kismayo was the only team who appeared to want the game more. The Celtic team who mage light work of Holloway Galaxy a week earlier, made frequent mistakes, gifting the ball to their opponents with misplaced passes, poor dead-ball delivery, weak tackles and constant ball-watching.

A team brimming with Celtic passion should have displayed more enthusiasm but wilted against a team full of youngsters.

Kismayo in control

From the referees' first whistle Kismayo showed their intent to play balls over and through the defence for their quick strike-force to get on the end of. It worked well as Kismayo often caught the St Pauls' defence square and slow of the mark. Kismayo were allowed to use the pace of their fullbacks to get the ball wide and to the expose the Celtic defence. Whether some complacency has crept into the minds of some of the St Paul's players or not will show in the coming weeks, but the start to this half overshadowed anything that had gone before it. Kismayo were constantly on the attack while Celtic were unable to string more than a couple of passes together, nobody seemingly willing to take responsibility and control the game.

Celtic resorted to long balls to Coull, an over-reliance on the big striker being highlighted, but it was the big man who had the first clear chance for the Hoops. A lovely through ball from Dowling sent the striker rushing into the inside right channel in the penalty box, but his stinging volley was palmed away by the Kismayo 'keeper. Coull's match ended shortly after when he pulled up with a thigh strain, and new signing Tormod Smith took to the field in his place. St Paul's for all their self-inflicted problems were still getting the ball into dangerous areas, but the decision making at times resembled the school kids who had been on the field before this match kicked off. Panic set in and balls were scuffed to the opposition or shepherded out of play, moves frequently breaking down even with no pressure from the opposition defenders.

Against the run

The first goal went to Celtic completely against the run of play. A ball into the box was poorly dealt with by the Kismayo ‘keeper and as Smith and Dowling went for it the ball eventually broke to the on rushing Molloy to smash home for his third goal of the season. The goal should have lifted the Celtic spirits but it was opposition who came roaring out of the blocks.

Their big striker was causing the Celtic defence problems and while Kismayo didn't create too many clear cut chances, St Paul's were under constant pressure. Kismayo were first to every 1st and 2nd ball and as the half wore on their hunger only increased. The end of the first period was a welcome one for the bhoys in green and white and the hope was that a half time transformation akin to that of their previous match would see them finally click into gear in the second period.

Up the ante

The second half started much better than the first, with some of the passing much crisper and quicker, yet Celtic were struggling to compete with Kismayo's physical side to their game. Smith was proving a handful up front for Celtic, his pace and skilful running getting him into wide areas, but the absence of Coull's aerial strength meant crosses into the box were dealt with comfortably. Celtic slowly started to take hold of the game and the introduction of Tkaczyk in place of MacCann on the left wing added some fresh legs to the mix. For all the good work that Celtic were now doing Kismayo were still a massive threat on the break with their pace and ability on the ball, and again they got back on top in the match.

Scramble

A broken up attack led to a corner for the light blues and the scene that followed was nothing short of shambolic. A lofted ball into the box fell to the Kismayo striker whose initial shot was saved superbly by Hamilton in the Celtic goal. However the young ‘keeper was badly let down by his team-mates who still hadn't reacted by the time the ball hit the back of the net, struck home by the Kismayo midfielder who appeared totally unmarked. Like Celtic's goal should have sparked them into life, Kismayo's equaliser saw them step up a gear once more as they flooded forward, believing that they would score a winning goal against a Celtic side slowly but surely dying on their feet. Smith went close from St Paul's best move of the match involving Rogan, Dowling and Molloy, but the debutante's effort was straight at the Kismayo ‘keeper. McGinley left the field injured to be replaced by Majid, before Lacey then had to withdraw through injury leaving St Paul's with only ten men for the final 10 minutes of the match.

Crushing blow

It looked like a draw would be played out until a long goal kick was allowed to bounce right through the St Paul's midfield and defence, closely followed by the Kismayo striker. A parting of the green and white sea saw him clean through on goal with Hamilton left with no chance of keeping the ball out, Celtic's number one as shocked and surprised as the spectators at the ease with which he was allowed to stroll through. It was a terrible end to a terrible performance, with barely one or two Celtic men anywhere near pass marks. The next fixture for St Paul's is in the Cup against Kismayo, an opportunity to gain revenge for this defeat. The unbeaten league campaign has come to an end, and if St Paul's want to end the season with any silverware then there has to be a desire to fight and play for the jersey.