Two games played and sadly two games lost, despite a spirited performance from the Scorchers.
The start of the first game saw Darren Barker and Jack Chisem working hard up front supported by Oliver Kavanagh and Jonah Argent in Midfield. In defence were the rock solid Cameron Latimer and Sam Arditto who hard to work extremely hard keep a free passing Celtic away from Ben Haase's goal.
Despite a good start, Scorchers soon found themselves being pressed back in to their own half, despite some great saves by Ben and hard defending by Oliver, Sam and especially Cameron, the team found themselves 2-0 down by half time. The Scorchers just couldn't get the ball consistently through the midfield to the forwards, resulting in Celtic dominating this area. However, when the ball did break for Scotton, Darren was able to make some excellent runs at the Celtic goal.
Half time came and some changes were made. Wilf Bowlas replaced Jonah and Jack made way for Josh with Dan Chatten replacing Oliver. Ben came out of goal and was replaced the giant Bradley Shaw. A team talk and change of personnel saw a much stronger midfield more able to cope with the Celtic attack. Despite this Celtic again managed to score to make it 3-0. By now though, balls were more regularly starting to find there way forwards with Dan, Wilf and Elliot,feeding the now red faced and hard working Darren, who managed to convert a a great effort in to a fine goal to make it 3-1 which ultimately marked the final result.
The second game was no different. A team comprising Darren in goal, Bradley and Cameron up front with a midfield of Josh and Wilf and Ben and Jonah in defence. This time everyone got stuck in and held there own against the Celtic side with several chances going begging to the skilful Cameron's mazy runs at goal, including one off the post.However, a 3 minute lapse of concentration resulted in the Scorchers going 2-0 down. It would have been more but for Darren in goal making some awesome saves and Ben along with Jonah making many crucial tackles, oh, that and the goal posts which throughout the game repeatedly came to the Scorchers rescue. In midfield Wilf and Josh were kept extremely busy as they spent much of the time defending and trying to get the ball forwards. Cameron, despite his best efforts simply couldn't score.
Again all change at half time with Jack Chisem up front for Bradley and Josh moving from mid to strike. Midfield was left in the capable hands of Sam and Dan Chatten with Oliver and Elliot in Defence. Josh proved excellent, covering the midfield as well as up front, making a number of excellent runs. Just as the final half looked as though it would be goal less Celtic got a free kick 20m from goal. A well organised Scorchers wall was to no avail as the Celtic player fired in a perfectly placed curling shot in to the top right corner of the goal beating the soaring Darren in goal to make it 3-0.
A sign of the games that the 2 "man of the matches" went to two defenders. Cameron for his sterling efforts in the first game, and a battling Ben in the second, both of whom got stuck in and made many crucial tackles. Well done Cameron and Ben.
