Scottish Lowland League
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC… 5
(Davidson 4, Quinn 28 & 54, Dobbie 58 & 63

CALEDONIAN BRAVES… 1
(Watson 9)

Celtic FC B picked up their first three points of the season with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Caledonian Braves at the Excelsior Stadium tonight (Tuesday).

An early opener from Bruno Davidson, and braces from Ben Quinn and Lewis Dobbie ensured an impressive performance and result for the Hoops as they bounced back from their opening day defeat at the weekend.

It took Celtic just four minutes to open the scoring. Left-back Mitchel Frame’s persistent play was rewarded after he chased down what look to be a lost cause ball over the top.

The youngster used his pace before hitting a shot which was blocked by the Braves defence. However, it fell into the path of Bruno Davidson, who had the simple task of tapping the ball home.

And the Celts almost double their lead as Ben Quinn found himself in plenty of space inside the penalty area, but his shot went just narrowly wide.

Unfortunately for the Hoops their lead was short-lived as the visitors levelled through Jamie Watson.

However, that setback did not deflate the Hoops, and they nearly restored their lead when Mackenzie Carse attempted an audacious chip over the goalkeeper.

Just before the half-hour mark, they did score through Ben Quinn as the Irishman slotted the ball home after latching on to a pass slipped through the Braves defence.

And on the stroke of half-time, Frame came close to extending their lead but his clever effort, clipping the ball over the goalkeeper inside the box went narrowly wide.

After a positive display in the opening 45 minutes, the goals continued to come early in second half as the Bhoys extended their lead.

Ben Quinn was on hand to score his second of the game on 54 minutes with a composed finish into the top right-hand corner after the ball came to him inside the area.

And just four minutes later, the Hoops had a fourth as striker Lewis Dobbie got off the mark for the season.

Some brilliant work down the right flank from Mackenzie Carse created some space to pick out a pass to Dobbie, who comfortably tucked the ball past the Braves keeper.

As the Celts continued to pile the pressure on the Caledonian Braves goal, the fifth goal came just past the hour mark, and it was once again Dobbie on target.

Pressing the visitors high up the park, Quinn managed to nick the ball off the Braves defence and advanced towards goal, eyeing up his hat-trick.

The winger took the ball round the goalkeeper and attempted to finish from close-range, but the ball struck the post.

Thankfully for the Celts, Dobbie was in the right place at the right time to slot the ball into the bottom corner to make it 5-1.

Next up is another home match for the Celts as they return to the Excelsior Stadium this Saturday, July 29 to take on Cowdenbeath.

CELTIC: Clarke, Dede (Osagie 82), Frame (Hale 64), Agbaire, Robertson, Ure, Davidson (Hatton 84), Carse, Dobbie, Thomson (Haddow), Quinn (Bonnar 64).
Subs: Morrison

Five-star Celts get back to winning ways in impressive style