Celtic travelled to Harbison Park to face Whalsay in a competitively contested league match which would see the home team run out as 4-2 victors.
From the kick off, Celtic were stamping their authority on the game. A brave 3-4-3 formation was forcing Whalsay to defend the edge of their box early on. A determined Whalsay defence marshalled by the age-old partnership of Richard Arthur and John Montgomery remained secure, resulting in Celtic trying their luck with several long shots.
Against the run of play, it was Whalsay that struck first, a free kick inside Whalsay’s half was hoisted into the Celtic box. The ball dropped kindly for Stuart Shearer who duly accepted the gift and scored from 10 yards.
Not long after Whalsay had their second, some good work down the left flank by Christopher Irvine saw his deflected cross go out for a corner. The corner was swung into the box where the Celtic defence headed it clear. With a dangerous looking counter attack brewing with Celtic players steaming forward, Whalsay midfielder Lee Irvine made a crucial tackle to regain possession. With the ball bouncing invitingly, the Whalsay captain hit a beautifully struck left foot volley in off the underside of the bar from 30 yards.
Into the second half Celtic came out of the blocks flying. James Aitken and Connor Regan were driving the team forward from midfield, with Ryan Grant looking dangerous down the left. Celtic capitalised on this momentum when 16-year-old Kennedy Moar hit home a sweet volley from a Celtic corner.
James Aitken created a deserved equaliser for Celtic moments later. The midfielder broke the lines from midfield with a surging run, occupying 3 Whalsay defenders. With the odds against him, the Celtic talisman found the bottom corner from outside the box with an outstretched leg.
After the equaliser, Whalsay settled into a deep defensive shape and soaked up the Celtic pressure resiliently. Stuart Shearer was leading the line well for Whalsay and won free kick on the half way line. With everyone expecting a long Whalsay ball into the Celtic box, the ball was played short to Richard Arthur. The defender surged forward into the open space skipping past a challenge. Bearing down on the Celtic defence, the stalwart played a bounce pass with David Murray before firing home from the edge of the box.
With time running out, Celtic pushed for an equaliser without creating any clear- cut chances. With 2 minutes to go and Celtic going all out attack, a long clearance found Stuart Shearer unmarked on the half way line. A turn of pace saw him wheel away from the Celtic defenders before calmly slotting past the Celtic keeper at the near post.
Michael Grant blew the final whistle to see and end to an exciting 4-2 win for Whalsay. Determined defending and clinical finishing was enough to see the home team take all 3 points.
CELTIC TEAM: T Lynch, J Bradley, J Clubb, R Smith, S Odie (E Smith), C Regan, J Aitken, R Grant, B Johnson, S Sim, K Moar