SPFL Trust Trophy
Reigart Stadium, Coatbridge
Tuesday, August 9, 2022

ALBION ROVERS… 2
(Fagan 1, Corr og 26)

CELTIC… 3
(Vata 32, Lawal 39, Moffat 50)

The Celtic B team produced a superb performance to beat League Two side, Albion Rovers in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

The Hoops came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, and the margin of victory could have been even higher, given Celtic’s dominance in the second-half.

The young Celtic side actually got off to the worst possible start against their League Two opponents when Albion Rovers captain, Sean Fagan, slotted the ball home inside the first minute.

And the home side came close minutes later, but a free-kick from the edge of the area was put over the bar.

However, the Hoops slowly began to work their way into the game, and Owen Moffat found Johnny Kenny in a dangerous area inside the box, but his effort was saved by the Rovers keeper.

And Celtic’s Irish striker had another chance soon after that after being set up by Rocco Vata, but this time the home defence blocked his shot.

Vata was causing the League two side problems on the flank, and he had a chance in the 21st minute following good play from Moffat but, again, goalkeeper Chris Smith dealt well with the effort.

And just five minutes later, the home side doubled their lead. Amaury Testa delivered a cross into the Celtic box which was unfortunately turned into his own net.

The young Hoops refused to let that second goal unsettle them, and Vata reduced the deficit on 32 minutes when he produced a good finish.

Tobi Oluyawemi saved well from a Charlie Reilly shot two minutes later, while Albion Rovers had another effort soon after that went wide of the post.

But on 39 minutes, it was 2-2 when Bosun Lawal converted a Moffat corner.

And that comeback drove Celtic on after the break, with Moffat smashing the ball home on 50 minutes after good play from Matthew Anderson, the Celtic captain cutting the ball back for the winger to score.

The Hoops were playing with confidence and Lawal had a shot from just outside the area which was saved by the Rovers keeper, while Johnny Kenny made a strong run down the left-hand side but his strike was also well-saved.

On 71 minutes, Celtic had another great chance as Moffat's long-range effort flew just over the crossbar.

The home side had been on the back foot for much of the half but they pushed forward in the last 10 minutes. However, Oluwayemi dealt well with anything that came into his area and the Hoops saw out the match for an impressive and well-deserved 3-2 victory over their League Two opponents.

The victory sets up a home tie against Livingston B in the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy while, before then, there is a Lowland League game away to Gretna this Saturday.

ALBION ROVERS: Smith, Fernie, Malcolm, McColl, Fagan, Leslie, Wilson, Duncan, Testa, Wright, Reilly.
Subs: Dolan, McGrath, Greenwood, Leighfield, Devine, Taylor

CELTIC: Oluwayemi, Murphy, Corr, Lawal, Anderson, Otoo, Letsosa, Summers (Davidson 68), Vata (Thomson 90+1), Moffat (Carse 74), Kenny.
Subs: Luyeye, Morrison, Mackenzie, Quinn, Kelly, Agbaire

Super Celts beat Albion Rovers in SPFL Trust Trophy tie