By Aron Hegarty
Esker Celtic 2
St Francis 0
Esker Celtic’s Saturday U15 DDSL Premier 1 side battled to a hard-fought win in their opening league game against St Francis FC at the weekend.
A bullet header from Jamie Morris just past the half hour mark put the hosts ahead before Romeo Nweke swept home the decisive second goal on 52 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory came at the end of a fiesty encounter in Hermitage Park between two equally-committed teams as the tackles flew in throughout.
Ultimately the better opportunities fell Esker’s way, two of which they converted, as Francis were unable to turn their potent counter-attacking play into chances.
Following a rusty start from Esker, Nweke twice went close to scoring prior to the opening goal from Morris in the 31st minute.
Francis’ best effort of the match came minutes after the interval from a Luke Feighery free-kick, which sailed just wide of the post.
But Esker, aided by a strong breeze, pressed the visitors high up the pitch and played long balls forward from defence to catch them out.
This approach eventually paid off when a ball down the line was picked up by substitute Ilya Bednakons, who crossed for Nweke to score from close range and secure the three points.
