City Beating Celtic Is A Shaw Thing

Last updated : 12 April 2006 By Kev Monks
COVENTRY CITY 3-1 GLASGOW CELTIC BY KEV MONKS
Richard Shaw had a night to remember as City beat Celtic 3-1 in a testimonial for the 37 year old defender.

A record crowd for a City testimonial of 25,075 beating the 1967 testimonial for George Curtis and Mick Kearns by 35, turned up at the Arena, although some Celtic fans arrived at Highfield Road thinking the game was there.

Richard Shaw received a standing ovation from the crowd and took his place in a starting line-up which saw the man of the night partner Robert Page at the back in the first half.

Dennis Wise
also started and after ninety five seconds,the midfielder put City ahead with a free kick from the edge of the area which squirmed its way past Celtic keeper David Marshall.

The Scottish Premier League Champions managed by former City player and manager Gordon Strachan fielded Paul Telfer and John Hartson in their starting line-up and were level in the fifth minute thanks to a lovely turn and shot from the edge of the area by Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura.

The Celtic fans in the away end and fair play to the ones who travelled from Scotland burst into chorus of the Irish National Anthem and Fields of Athenry as Gary McSheffrey's pace won a 12th minute corner and Dennis Wise fired very wide three minutes later.

Paul Telfer was being booed every time he touched the ball whilst the main Celtic player catching the eye was Nakamura who got in a shot which Fulop smothered,Petrov came in but Fulop was there again to concede a corner.

City passed the ball round well with Wise,Doyle and Hughes leading by example as the half came to a close.

At half-time, Micky Adams made eight changes bringing on Clayton Ince,Richard Duffy,Adie Williams,Andy Morrell,Andy Impey,Don Hutchison as well as Kevin Thornton and Stuart Giddings who had both played well for City Reserves twenty five hours earlier.
Celtic also made changes with the most notable being Dion Dublin who replaced Varga. This was a red rag to a bull for the City fans and with Dublin playing at centre half and defending the CET Stand end,every time he looked at the ball he was booed and jeered.

Kevin Thornton was again lively firing wide from 22 yards in the 53rd minute. Seven minutes later, Richard Shaw was replaced by Matt Heath. Shaw who is donating some of the money raised from this game to the Coventry based Snowball Appeal and Babylifeline Charity, received a standing ovation.

The substitution left many wondering if they will see the popular centre half in a City shirt again before his contract expires in June.
Like at Wolves,Stephen Hughes was in good form and in the 62nd minute some good work by the Skipper brought a cross which Wilson had to head over his own bar.

This brought the first of two corner and in the 65th minute, City re-took the lead. Don Hutchison slipped the ball on the feet of Kevin Thornton. The young Irishman who has been offered a two year contract by City tried to push the ball past Marshall who got a touch to the ball. Thornton kept his cool, got the ball back and got it on his right where he curled it past a covering defender and into the net.

The Sky Blue Song was now echoing round the ground as Andy Morrell fired into the side netting from two yards with only the keeper to beat from a Stuart Giddings cross.

John Hartson left to generous applause from the City support and in the 74th minute Michael Doyle was replaced by Liam Davis.
At this point, two males wearing only boxer shorts and socks legged it onto the pitch and raced off again before diving into the sanctuary of the CET Stand. They hid from view whilst the stewards and police, who had been dealing with a number of fights that had been breaking out all night,tried to search for them.

However,whilst this was going on a lovely ball from Andy Impey sent Liam Davis away. The winger cut inside from the right, rounded Marshall before planting a left footed shot into the net.
The attempted streakers used the celebrations which wrapped up a fine performance by the Sky Blues to get dressed and blend back in with the crowd.

Clayton Ince made a good save at the end as City ran out worthy winners and Richard Shaw had a night worthy of the eleven years he has contributed to the Sky Blues cause.

HT CCFC 1-1 GCFC
FT CCFC 3-1 GCFC

ATT 25.0765

GOALS Dennis Wise (2), Shunsuke Nakamura (5),Kevin Thornton (65),Liam Davis (77)

Team
Fulop (Ince 46),Whing (Duffy 46),Hall (Giddings 46),Page (Williams 46),Hughes (Lynch 81),Doyle (Davis 74),Adebola (Hutchison 46),McSheffrey (Impey 46),John (Morrell 46); Wise (Thornton 46),Shaw (Heath 60).

Celtic
Marshall,Telfer,Hartson (Riley 71),Wilson, Lennon (Wallace 77),Petrov,Varga (Dublin 46), Nakamura (Pearson 46),Maloney (Camara 58); McManus,McGeady (Quinn 71).