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 Fukuda Denshi, Saturday 9th January.
…......but seriously,
This was a game we were all looking forward to. A real test to see how far we've come and, if we can secure promotion, how we might fair next year alongside the big boys. Yeah, big boys. That was the first thing that struck me on arriving at Fukuda Denshi to see the opposition warming up. I don't know if it's the Celtic hoops that just make players look bigger, or what. Still, not to be out-done in the pre-match psychological warfare, we changed into a fetching little pink number, which must have struck fear into the hearts of the Celts players. Errr, remind me again, who's idea was the pink kit?
 Anyway, the teams lined up in glorious sunshine and perfect playing conditions, Panthers playing 3-5-2 with plenty of width against a well organised Celts side. It's difficult to put your finger on the Celts formation as Henry seems to be playing 3 different positions all at the same time! Both teams seemed to be giving the opposition plenty of respect and sitting quite deep so a fairly cagey opening with few chances at either end. Panthers had the first real opening with a free kick about 25 yards out. Kei hit a superb strike which crashed off the bar with the keeper beaten. At the other end, Celts were beginning to push forward into wide positions and 2 or 3 dangerous crosses were starting to spell trouble. So it proved mid-way through the first half when a ball into the box was only half cleared and when it was crossed back into the far post, Pete McGill headed back across the 6 yard box for Henry to power his header past a dispairing Sid. 1-0 Celts. Not much goal mouth action followed in the first half with Matt keeping the Panther's defence on their toes and a strong Celts defence keeping a firm grip on Sho and Ma up front.
Second half saw a couple of changes with Tom adding a bit of height and strength up front and Phil Greene coming on for the old guy at left back. With Romen and Jay doing the holding job and Ben winning a lot of ball and linking the play up, Panthers started to get a grip of midfield as the game wore on. Still not much in the way of clear chances, more a game for the purist than the thrill-seeking neutral, but good football from both sides and pretty evenly matched.
 With time running out, Panthers began to throw caution to the wind in the last 10 or 15 minutes and the game opened up. Sho latched onto a loose ball and shaped for his trademark lobbed finish but a miscue under pressure from the Celts defence saw the chance go begging. Romen, leading from the front (literally) shot from a tight angle but saw the effort come off the post. With gaps opening up in the Panthers defence, Pete McGill (I think) clipped the bar with a shot from distance but that proved to be the last of the action. A good game played in the right spirit and Celts probably shading it on the balance of play.
Mixed feelings at the end of the game. Satisfaction that we proved that we can compete, but disappointment not to have created more clear-cut chances. Did we give them a bit too much respect? Maybe. Do we need Rick's physical presence back? Probably. Can we cut it at this level? Definitely!
By Andy Vaughan
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