Scottish Lowland League
Saturday, January 13, 2024
East Peffermill, Edinburgh

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY…1

CELTIC…3

(Thomson 30, Quinn 40, Bonnar 74)

Celtic FC B returned to winning ways in the Lowland League on Saturday afternoon, running out dominant winners over Edinburgh University.

Goals from Corey Thomson, Ben Quinn and Jude Bonnar saw the Hoops take a three-goal lead heading into the closing stages of the match, before the home side pulled one back.

However, it was a controlled performance from the young Celtic side who sealed all three points on their visit to the capital.

Following Wednesday evening’s disappointing draw against Gretna, the Bhoys would have been looking to bounce back and put in a performance on their travels once more.

It could have proved to be a tricky afternoon with the pitch offering up a challenge for both teams, however, the Celts put in a professional performance from start to finish.

The first opportunity of the game fell the way of Ben Quinn inside the opening few minutes as the winger’s volleyed effort forced the goalkeeper into a strong stop.

The Edinburgh University was in for a busy afternoon of action, and shortly after his first stop he was on hand once again this time denying Corey Thomson, tipping the midfielder’s effort over the crossbar.

However, he couldn’t deny the Celtic youngster on the half hour mark, with Thomson on hand to follow up his midweek brace with the opening goal in Edinburgh.

Running on the end of a clever dinked pass from Jude Bonnar, the midfielder rounded the goalkeeper as smashed the ball home to open the scoring.

With the Hoops continuing to probe the University goal, they didn’t have to wait much longer to double their advantage as Ben Quinn was on hand to score the second.

Picking up the ball on the edge, the winger produced a fantastic finish from the edge of the box, with his powerful strike coming off the underside of the bar and going into the back of the net.

Heading into second half the Celts continued to dominant, with the goalkeeper on hand to deny a number of opportunities.

His best save came at the beginning of the half after denying Rocco Vata on the left hand side, with a wonderful one-handed save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

Despite the resistance, the home side couldn’t hold on for much longer and the Hoops were ultimately able to secure the three points as Jude Bonnar scored the third of the afternoon.

Meeting Lewis Dobbie’s floated cross on the volley, the midfielder gave the shot-stopper no chance and made sure of the victory.

There were small signs of Edinburgh University looking to make an unlikely comeback as the home side pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.

However, it wasn’t to be and the Celts were rewarded for their dominant performance by taking victory back to Glasgow from the capital.

CELTIC: Morrison, Dede (Hale 85), Kyle (Mackenzie 65), Osagie, Agbaire, Ure, Vata (Davidson 65), Bonnar, Dobbie, Thomson, Quinn

Subs: McLean

Dominant Celts take home all three points from capital visit