The Celtic B team kicked off their new season in the Lowland League with an impressive 3-1 victory over Cowdenbeath.

All the goals came in the second half as a double from captain Matthew Anderson and a long-range curling strike from Bruno Davidson gave the Hoops all three points, despite a late goal back from the visitors, who were reduced to 10 men in the opening 45.

The Celts started with control of possession but almost found themselves behind on 10 minutes against the run of play.

Ewan Otoo lost possession, setting Cowdenbeath’s Lucas Berry free to race onto goal. The forward cut back to Aiden Gilmartin and with the goal at his mercy he looked certain to score, but Tobi Oluwayemi produced a flying, world-class save to his right to keep it out.

The danger wasn’t over though for the Celts, as the ball fell back into the path of Gilmartin who struck another effort on goal, this time central defender Dylan Corr scrambled back to clear off the goal line.

That opportunity sparked the game into life, as both teams started to try and make more of an impact in the match.

On 19 minutes it was Celtic’s turn to hit on the counter-attack, as Ben Summers raced the Celts forward after winning the ball from a Cowdenbeath corner, playing an inch-perfect ball through to Matthew Anderson who was brought down by Jack Garrad right on the edge of the visitor’s penalty area.

The challenge certainly seemed to deny a goal-scoring opportunity and the referee agreed, sending off the central midfielder and reducing the away team to 10 men.

Despite having an extra man, the Bhoys couldn’t find a way through in the first 45 minutes, the best opportunities falling to Summers with a free-kick that struck the wall and Rocco Vata having a shot saved easily from 25 yards.

Into the second period and the Celts came out firing looking to get the opening goal and try and get off to the best possible start on the first game of the season.

Staying patient in the first 12 minutes, they would finally carve Cowdenbeath open, as Bruno Davidson raced down on goal and had a shot well saved by Mason McCready.

But two minutes later and they would get their goal, as captain Matthew Anderson smashed home from just inside the area, after playing a lovely one-two with Tsoanelo Letsosa and firing a shot high into the roof of the net.

Cowdenbeath tried to respond, with Ewan Thomson having a shot saved by Oluwayemi, but on 64 minutes, Anderson was on the scoresheet again, linking up with Letsosa again and firing home with his left-foot from 25 yards into the top right corner.

The Celts had opened the floodgates by this point and on 70 minutes, they would find themselves 3-0 up, as Bruno Davidson added another goal in quick succession, stepping inside from the left wing and curling a shot into the bottom right corner.

11 minutes of clinical magic would make the difference in the game but the Celts kept pushing, with Ben Quinn inches away from making it 4-0 on 82 minutes, but his header from point blank range was well saved.

Then with six minutes to go, Cowdenbeath would add a consolation goal, with Chris Aikamitenze side-footing a volley into the top of the net after the Celts failed to clear a corner.

However, it wouldn’t affect the outcome of the match, as the Celts started their new campaign with all three points.

CELTIC B: Oluwayemi, Dede, Anderson, Otoo, Corr, Murphy (Kelly), Vata (Quinn), Summers, Letsosa, Carse, Davidson.
Subs: Luyeye, Morrison, Agbaire.

COWDENBEATH: McCready, Robinson, Newman, Lemon, Armstrong, Garrad, Thomson, Struthers, Gilmartin (Jarron), Berry, Graham (Aikamitenze).
Subs: Weekes, Donaldson, Farrell, Trialist.

Celtic B start league campaign with impressive win over Cowdenbeath