Lowland League

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

Celtic FC B.. 2

(Dawson 62, Quinn 76)

Tranent Juniors...1

Second-half goals from Joey Dawson and substitute Ben Quinn gave the B Team a deserved and hard-fought win against Tranent Juniors to leapfrog above them and Rangers B to the top of the Lowland League.

After an even first half with few chances, the only talking point was a controversial Joey Dawson strike that was chalked off by the referee for handball after initially appearing to award the goal.

Despite the disappointment, the Celts sprang into action in the second period to go on and earn all three points.

Darren O'Dea and Stephen McManus's Bhoys took the lead on 62 minutes after some good play down the right from Adam Brooks and his cross was headed goalward by Ben Quinn just seconds after coming off the bench.

Quinn saw his header blocked on the line however but the rebound fell to Joey Dawson who made no mistake with the finish.

The Bhoys didn’t sit back and they were rewarded got rewarded for their efforts with a second goal on 76 minutes. Josh Clarke, in goal for Celtic, found Ben Summers with his pass who played Dawson through and the former Scunthorpe striker rounded the keeper with the ball falling kindly to Quinn and he couldn’t miss the open goal presented to him.

It was at this stage that Tranent found their own fighting spirit and got a goal back on 79 minutes before they almost grabbed a late equaliser when a thundering long-range shot from Kane O’Connor rattled the crossbar.

However, the young Hoops stayed resilient and held out for the three points to go top of the Lowland League table.

Match Reaction

Celtic B move top of the Lowland League with victory