Scottish Lowland League
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Alliance Park, Motherwell

CALEDONIAN BRAVES... 0

CELTIC... 1
(Brooks 38pen)

Celtic FC B bounced back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, defeating Caledonian Braves 1-0 at Alliance Park.

Adam Brooks’ first-half penalty was enough to separate the sides, and hand the Hoops another three points in their final away league game of the campaign.

The young Celts started the game off strongly, looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw against Dalbeattie Star in midweek.

Going on the front foot from the first whistle, their first opportunity to open the scoring came after seven minutes.

Adam Brooks was brought down inside the area just before he was about to get a shot off on goal, with Celtic awarded a penalty. Mackenzie Carse stepped up, looking to score the important opener, but his strike was well-saved by the goalkeeper.

Missing from the spot didn’t affect Celtic or Carse’s confidence, as the Bhoys continued to push and create more opportunities. Both Brooks and Carse had efforts well saved by the home side’s goalkeeper, who palmed the ball away to safety.

On the half-hour mark the Hoops came close once again, this time striking the post as Kyle Ure’s powerful strike from distance came back off the outside of the woodwork.

In the opening 45 minutes, Josh Clarke didn’t have too much to do in the way of saves. However, the shot-stopper stood strong when anything came his way.

Just before half-time, Celtic were finally rewarded for their good work and it was the on-form Brooks who opened the scoring.

The referee awarded the Celts another spot-kick after Bruno Davidson’s cross into the box from the left was judged to have struck the hand of the Braves defender.

Brooks confidently stepped up and tucked the ball home, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and giving Celtic a 1-0 lead.

Following a competitive opening 45 minutes, the game had the same feel heading into the second half.

Although the Hoops had fewer chances, they continued to dominate much of the ball and were playing some good football when building out from the back.

Celtic’s best effort came the way of Corey Thomson, who directed a powerful shot on goal after cutting in from the left, but the Braves goalkeeper palmed it away once again.

As the game came to a close, the Bhoys were looking to see things out and get back to winning ways. Caledonian Braves tried to grab a late equualiser, forcing Clarke into a number of smart stops.

However, the young Celtic side were able to maintain their lead and pick up another victory in the penultimate game of the Lowland League season.

CELTIC: Clarke, Dede (McPherson 67), Anderson, Corr, Robertson, Ure (Cummings 67), Thomson, Carse, Brooks (Dobbie 84), Letsosa, Davidson.
Subs: Morrison, Mackenzie, Turley

Match reaction

Celtic B team return to winning ways against Caledonian Braves