McGuire hat-trick sends North End on their way
NORTH END UNITED 4 FORTH CELTIC 2
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CRAIG MCGUIRE fired a chilling warning to Premier League defences with a hat-trick inside the opening 30 minutes, helping North End United maintain their winning start with an impressive victory over Forth Celtic in this Wexford Football League Premier Division clash at Belvedere on Sunday morning.
It was yet another frustrating game for Forth Celtic who have now conceded 11 goals from their opening two games. But having dropped 3-0 behind they battled back with two goals before the break, but they were unable to match McGuire's hat-trick that inspired the home side for the remainder of the game.
This three-goal haul from McGuire shows that he's going from strength to strength from last season. The new-look North End on their return to the top flight will certainly figure in the title race as they look the side more likely to topple New Ross Celtic's bid for five-in-a-row.
The home supporters were settling in for a real battle when McGuire struck for the opener after 20 minutes. A long ball was delivered to the left edge of the area, which McGuire controlled superbly before firing low into the left hand corner of the net.
Manager John Godkin has always backed McGuire's scoring ability and he certainly did not let him down, for four minutes later he made it 2-0, having raced on to a superb Kyle Dempsey through ball, he showed a lovely first touch before shooting home from 20 metres.
Forth Celtic were fighting a rearguard action but there was little they could do to prevent Mcguire completing his hat-trick on 30 minutes, when Dempsey was once again provider leaving the striker to fire a superb shot to the roof of the net.
Forth Celtic may have been shocked at such a start but credit to them for battling back. Five minutes before the break Ciarán Redmond had a shot blocked by keeper Lee Walker but Thomas Thornton was on hand to fire the loose ball to the roof of the net.
Then just on the break Forth Celtic's Tony Power was fouled in the area with Kevin Price sending keeper Walker the wrong way from the penalty spot leaving it 3-2 at the break.
It was a tribute to Forth Celtic's battling qualities that they restricted North End to a single secondhalf goal which was credited to Trevor Berry, who this time turned a Kyle Dempsey cross into the net, after 64 minutes.
This was enough to secure all three points for a hugely impressive North End outfit.
- BRENDAN FURLONG
