New look Celtic show character

DRAPERSTOWN Celtic once again travelled to Lurgan, this time at LPP, to play Sunnyside and, following the disappointment of last week when no game took place, the squad was ready for their first game after the heroics in Foyle Cup during the summer break.

It was a new look Celtic that took to the field in Lurgan but every player in the squad was more than capable at this level. As expected there was a certain degree of rustiness as it was the first game of the season.

DC were lucky not to concede in the first 5 minutes. The young DC team started to settle and come more into the game and there are encouraging signs of some new developing partnerships.

The game sprang to life when the DCFC defence were caught square and the Sunnyside forward broke the offside trap and was clean through on goal, Gallagher’s dive adjudged to have brought down the forward, the penalty awarded. However, it was dragged wide much to the relief of the DC players.

A great shot from the Sunnyside midfielder was superbly parried by Gallagher but Sunnyside reacted first and, in a goalmouth scramble, a valiant attempt by Gallagher to block it the ball was forced home, halftime 1-0.

The second half began brighter and the DC boys began to settle. They brought the ball down and tried to play round the home team.

The DC defence had to be alert on several occasions but the winger was superbly marshalled by Grant at left back. The Draperstown team were furious when they were denied 2 blatant penalties first when McGuigan was taken down and then again when Lagan was impeded.

The best spell of the game arrived when the new partnership of McCloskey and Scullion combined well to send McGuigan free down the left but his great ball was just behind the on rushing forwards.