Paul Quinn was handed the right back slot as the Kaiser once again filled in for the missing Partridge in the centre of defence. He had an excellent game and keeps the stream of promising youngsters flowing.
The crucial missed penalty
Celtic kicked off and attacked the Cooper end goal. They had not long to wait for success as Sutton was allowed to run unchallenged into the right side of the box to collect a Thomson pass. His low cross provided an easy tap in for Hartson. Just the start we had hoped to avoid. Three minutes gone and a one down.
It looked as though we would be overrun but the defence held firm and the tide began to turn. For the majority of the half we had Celtic pinned in defence as we fought for the equaliser.
Derek Adams was at the centre of the action in a five minute blitz on the Celtic goal. A stunning free kick in twenty three minutes hit the inside of the post and another from a more central position just missed the target with Douglas stretching Then Clarkson was brought down by Balde and a penalty was awarded. Derek's dead ball strike was too close to the keeper and he got a hand to the shot. It was to prove to be a turning point in the game but we battled on.
Another highlight for the home crowd was the booking of Larson for a dive at the edge of the box. He was subbed before the break. This diving in the ‘Well box is becoming a habit for the number seven!
Into the second half and Pearson (not a good day) released Burns inside the box. His cross come shot forced a save from
The game was over as a contest in seventy minutes. Craigan stopped a run from Petrov just outside the box and was shown yellow for his trouble. Thomson floated a perfect free kick onver the wall into the net.
We did not give up and
The home support drifted away from the ground, another home defeat. But the same fighting display could see some reward at Tynecastle next Saturday.
Let’s hope for a belated Christmas present!