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

Celtic state their claim for the silverware 30 September 2009

Strong comeback from Celtic see them ease past First Capital Connect

6-2 is a scoreline that will live forever in my heart. In 2000 it signalled the beginning of the end of the dark ages for Celtic, and here in 2009 it sent out a statement of intent that St PaulSs Celtic are among the firm favourites for the division 3 title this season. First Capital Connect had found the going tough so far before last night's match, conceding 13 goals in 3 games but still managing a 3-0 win against Drug Free World, and last night's result looked a foregone conclusion. However it was First Capital who took an early lead, very much against the run of play.

St Paul's have made a habit of starting games slowly and last night was no different, opting to play it long rather than use the ability of every player in the side to get it down and play some football. Capital's tactics were clear from the start; long balls to their big centre forward who had little support from either his strike partner or midfield didn't really trouble the Hoops' backline until a lapse in concentration allowed Capital to score. Another lofted ball was intercepted by Beelders, but his passed clearance went straight to the big number 16 who struck the ball first time from all of 30 yards and lobbed the helpless Hamilton in the St Paul's goal.

Wake-up call

The goal stunned Celtic and it wasn't long before they pulled level. Rogan was brought down in the inside right channel, a few yards outside of the area, and Coull's powerful free kick went around the wall and through the 'keeper for his 5th goal in 4 games. St Paul's were starting to settle and finally got the ball on the ground, out-passing First Capital who were struggling to stay in the game even at this early stage. Yet it was another lofted ball from Tkaczyk that found Coull to double his and Celtic's goal tally for the night. Taking the ball on his left foot at full stretch, his 2nd touch took him inside his marker and he unleashes a scorching effort into the far top corner of the goal.It was a wonderful strike which deservedly put St Paul's ahead and looked to have opened the floodgates.

Coull, Turley and Rogan all went close before Rogan latched onto a Turley through ball, stroking the ball past the onrushing 'keeper. Wiechoreki went close from a neat one-two with Kennedy and both Turley and Coull had headers flash just over and wide. St Paul's went 4-1 up through Turley, his shot across the 'keeper nestling in at the far post, and the big Irishman had a strong penalty claim turned down shortly after. Despite playing some fantastic football St Paul's still had a tendency to completely switch off at times, and Capital capitalised on one such lapse in the closing minutes of the half. Another long ball into the inside right channel was dealt with comfortably by Beelders who shrugged off the challenge of the hustling striker. Beelders turned inside with the ball but passed it straight to the Capital striker to stroke home into an empty net, Hamilton again left helpless.

The 2nd half started brightly for St Paul's and front to back they were simply too strong for Capital. A few chances went a-begging early on, Turley having a shot tipped onto the post and Kennedy shooting straight at the 'keeper when one-on-one. However it wasn't long before Coull completed his hat-trick to put the game beyond First Capital. Out-muscling two central defenders he raced clear and powered a shot past the 'keeper for his 7th goal of the season. It was one-way traffic at this point with wave after wave of Celtic attack. The hugely influential Rogan limped off to be replaced by Butt, and he quickly got involved in the game, hitting a rasping shot from an angle that almost dipped over the 'keeper, who managed to get a hand to it to palm over.

Ring in the changes

Dowling and late-comer Lacey were introduced for Wiechoreki and Majid as St Paul's went to a narrow 4-4-2. This allowed Capital time in wide positions though and seemed to spur them on. The introduction of their substitute and the big number 16 dropping deeper and deeper to get the ball was causing problems for Celtic who seemed to temporarily lose their way. Normal service was resumed for the final 15 minutes though as the Hoops' midfield again took charge. An excellent through ball from Lacey found Kennedy who spun his man and got a shot away, but the Capital goalkeeper got a foot to it before it crept into the bottom corner. Coull wrapped up the scoring for the night with his 4th and Celtic's 6th, some excellent interplay in midfield saw Turley find Chris Butt, and the striker's unselfish crossed cut back found Coull at the back post who lashed the ball home.

The game was played out at a slow pace, St Paul's always on top without creating many more clear-cut chances, but again hard work was made of a very straight-forward victory. Some of the football on display was a joy to behold but there will be more difficult tests to come this season. In last night's other game AWDF surprisingly lost 3-2 to Bang, leaving St Paul's Celtic 3 points clear at the top of the league, MTV with a game in hand.