Cwmbran Celtic vs Baglan Dragons FC

Match Report

Matchday Programme

Celtic welcomed Baglan Dragons to the Avondale Motor Park Arena last Saturday for their first ever visit to the ground, having been promoted to the Cymru (South) Division this season.

Celtic Team Manager, James Kinsella, who has notified the club of his intention to step down from his role at the end of the season, was taking charge in his 100^th game for the club.

Celtic were without a few key players for the game. Both first choice goalkeepers were unavailable so utility player Andrew Larcombe deputised between the sticks. Cole Doolan deputised in Andrew’s usual midfield slot. Captain Sean Moss was suspended so youngster Lewis McCauley stepped into his midfield role. In defence Harrison Lewis was injured with Josh Rippon taking his place.

With so many changes, Celtic found it difficult to get into their stride and create any meaningful chances, but Baglan didn’t really take advantage of this and Larcombe wasn’t really troubled in the first half hour which passed without any real incident. However, in the 38^th minute he was forced into a save from Davies and could only parry the shot into the path of striker Marenghi who side-footed it into the net from close range. The game continued to ebb and flow until half time but neither side really threatened to add to the score.

Celtic stepped up the pace a little in the second half and began to make some real chances. Stanton in the visitor’s goal was called upon to make a few excellent saves from Alex Bonthron in particular who was unlucky not to add to the nineteen goals he’s scored already this season. Larcombe was also called upon to make an excellent diving save late in the game.

It looked very much like Baglan were going home with the three points but Celtic kept battling until the end and, in the 93rd minute, they got their reward. Substitute Charlie Taylor won a ball in the air and his towering header unluckily hit the far post with Stanton well beaten. The ball rebounded back into the six yard area where centre back Callum Hodges was on hand to guide it into the net for what, in the end, was a well-deserved equaliser.

The game ended 1-1 which was probably a fair result on the day.