Match Report -
Hold The Eighteen
By Debbie Taylor

Celtic won at Mossley for the first time in a pre-season fixture, and the first time at Seal Park since 1990!

There were the usual half time switcheroos that make it difficult to gauge how the team would really perform, but the first half Celtic did look quite dominant, with Bohan Dixon strong in midfield, and Steve Tames and Chris Simm linking up well at the front. Aidan Chippendale has continued from where he left off, and looked to have added a bit of muscle, whilst the back four looked immense, with Tony McMillan mainly in place to catch crosses and command his area, which he did easily.

The opening goal came after both sides had efforts off target (apart from a tip over from Mossley Keeper, Liam Flynn, that was classed a goal kick) before a good dummy from Simm put Tames in on goal, and he did not disappoint, with a deft side foot past Flynn five minutes before the interval

After the second half subs settled down, Mossley were more in the game, although Callum Hill, Celtic's replacement keeper, was still rarely troubled. However, half an hour into the half, Tom Pratt got behind the fullback, and fired in a low, narrow angle shot that beat Hill for pace. However, Celtic continued to play their own game, and a peach of a cross from a free kick (while the keeper yelled for his defence to Hold The 18) was volleyed home by Gyimah Yaw, one of the academy players, who was wearing...18! If only Flynn's defenders had listened.

Mossley didn't really press any more, and Celtic continued to play some nice football, had a couple of half chances but nothing more.

Mossley from: Liam Flynn, Lee Wilshaw, Ryan Barrow, Ryan Marley, Tom Dean, Kyle McGonigle, Connor Cowan-Thomas, Sam Robinson, Mike Fish, Andy Keogh, Tom Pratt; (subs: Jack Pritchard, James Blair, John Buceto, Brian Mathews, Rob Flynn, Kieran Berrywood)
Celtic from: Tony McMillan, Oliver Crowley, Matty Regan, Jack Higgins, John Shaw, Dale Wright, Ben McKenna, Bohan Dixon, Chris Simm, Steve Tames, Aiden Chippendale; (subs: Callum Hill, Pete Wylie, Matty Hughes, Danny Wisdom, Adam Farrell, Arron Chalmers, Amor Ceaser, Brandon Windsor, Alec Johnson, Gyimah Yaw, Adam Niall).