Match Report -
Celtic Win Away At Buxton In The Trophy
By Deborah Taylor

Two well taken goals by Liam Tongue and Chris Sharp edged Celtic ahead of their hosts to ensure Celtic progressed to face Workington in the next round instead of Buxton.

Buxton should have taken the lead in the opening exchange when a Diego De Girolamo free kick smashed against the crossbar coming out to Oli Roberts who headed tamely at a waiting Paddy Wharton. Oli Roberts made two more opportunities, but in both cases was wildly off target, whilst at the other end, James Caton got a couple of chances, curling the first the wrong side of the post and firing straight at Theo Roberts when either side of the keeper would have been a goal.

The opener came from a set-piece, something Buxton obviously practiced, Diego De Girolamo whipping in his free kick to the far post where Greg Young headed the ball back into the danger area for Nico Girolamo to glance a header into the top corner.

Buxton had their noses in front for less than ten minutes, when Chris Sharp set Liam Tongue off on a run, he rode two challenges twice getting half-chance opportunities, before finding the perfect place to curl his shot just beyond the fingertips of Theo Roberts.

Both teams started the second half on a mission. Oli Roberts's powerful effort was blocked by a outstretched leg from Wharton, whilst Tongue's cracking low angled drive was the wrong side of the post. Chris Sharp cut back from the by-line to make the space for a shot, but Theo Roberts was well placed. Brad Grayson brought another excellent save from Wharton, flying across the face to push the ball around the post.

It was Celtic that found the key, Caton twisted and turned, before producing a reverse pass that left the otherwise solid Buxton defence wide open for Sharp to run into. Sharp showed speed and composure to beat Theo Roberts to the ball and dink over the sliding keeper and into the back of the net.

With fifteen minutes left to go, Celtic played a game of containing Buxton, doing such a good job, Paddy Wharton was hardly called upon and Caton could have made the final moments safe deep into stoppage time, but curled his shot wide after exploiting the spaces created by Buxton pushing forward. It proved unneeded and Celtic put their plastic pitch hoodoo firmly behind them.

1Roberts, Theo  
2De Girolamo, Nico  
3Meade, Josh  
4Sephton, ScottYellow Card 
5Young, Greg  
6Dean, Tom  
7Roberts, Oli  > 63
8McGee, Joe  > 84
9Grayson, Brad  
10De Girolamo, Diego  
11Coppin, Kayde  > 69
12Oyibo, Jude  < 69
14Gee, GaryYellow Card < 63
15Young, Ash  
16McKenzie, Tyrel  
17Omotola, Tolani  < 84