Scottish Lowland League
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC... 2
(Vata 4, Carse 52

ALBION ROVERS... 1
(Bevan 32)

Celtic FC B got back to winning ways in the Lowland League this afternoon, defeating Albion Rovers 2-1 at the Excelsior Stadium.

A first-half strike from Rocco Vata put the Celts in the lead, before they were pegged back shortly after the half-hour mark.

However, despite late drama from the penalty spot for the away side, Mackenzie Carse’s early second-half strike proved to be the winner for the Bhoys.

The young Hoops kicked the game off in ideal fashion, scoring inside the opening 5 minutes through Rocco Vata.

A well-weighted reverse pass found Bruno Davidson in behind the Albion Rovers defence, leaving the winger through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Davidson looked to round the goalkeeper but the ball was cut out by the visiting shot-stopper. HOwever, Vata reacted quickest to latch on to the loose ball and tap home into an empty net.

After making a bright start to the game, the Hoops continued to look dangerous in the opening stages, causing the away side trouble.

A lot of the Celts’ positive attacking play was coming down the left from Magnus Mackenzie upon his return to the side from injury, who was creating a number of chances for his team-mates.

Although the Celts had enjoyed a number of opportunities in the first half, they would ultimately find themselves going into the break level.

Albion Rovers' Joe Bevan was the biggest threat for the visitors throughout, and he was the man to pull his side back on level terms.

Pouncing on a mistake at the back from the Hoops, the wide player made no mistake with his finish, tucking the ball past Joe Morrison, who had done well to deny Bevan earlier in the half.

Heading into the second half, the Bhoys made a similar start to the opening 45 minutes, grabbing an early goal to regain the lead.

Following a sweeping move down the left, substitute Ben Quinn was able to find Mackenzie Carse inside the area. The midfielder did brilliantly to curve the ball on his weaker left foot into the far corner of the net.

After regaining the lead, the Celts had plenty of opportunities to further extend their advantage, with Carse having a number of opportunities to grab his second of the game.

His best chance fell his way just before the hour mark after a superb pass from Kyle Ure in behind the Albion Rovers defence. The B team captain attempted to produce a calm finish into the bottom corner but the goalkeeper did well to save.

The young Hoops’ best chance of the half fell to Bruno Davidson, after the winger's well-timed run was found at the back post.

The ball looked destined for the back of the net but the Albion Rovers keeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny Davidson.

As the game entered the closing stages, all three points looked set to be heading back with the Celts. However, they were almost made to rue their missed opportunities.

In stoppage time, the visitors were handed a great opportunity to level the scoring from the penalty spot, after Joe Morrison was judged to have brought down a Rovers forward.

Fortunately for the Hoops, Niyah Joseph missed his spot-kick from 12 yards, striking the post before the ball was cleared to safety.

After a dramatic end to the 90 minutes, the Celts managed to secure all three points and end Albion Rovers five-game winning streak.

With the international break now taking place over the next week, the B team’s next fixture doesn’t come until September 15, when they take on West Ham United in the Premier League International Cup.

CELTIC: Morrison, Osagie (Dede 63), Frame, Robertson, Agbaire, Ure, Davidson (Bonnar 83), Thomson, Vata (Dobbie 70), Carse, Mackenzie (Quinn 46).
Subs: McLean

Celtic B team return to winning ways against Albion Rovers