MATCH 1606 - Sunday, 24 May 2015

SEASON:  2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    5    INVERNESS CT    0

Scorers: Scepovic(2), Johansen, Griffiths, Commons

My last game of the season and Celtic sign off in style with a five star performance as they are presented with the league trophy after the match. 

Personal note:  13th seasons now without missing a home Celtic match! (Last home match missed - Celtic 4 Juventus 3 Nov 2001)

Early action

Big crowd

Celts on Fire

MATCH 1605 - Monday, 18 May 2015

SEASON:  2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  The Hawthorns

WEST BROMWICH ALBION   3   CHELSEA   0

Scorers: Berahino (2); Brunt

Our first visit to The Hawthorns!  Travelled down on Virgin Trains to Birmingham New Street from Glasgow for a tenner thanks to offer on Megabus.  The stadium is only 10 minutes from Birmingham city centre by train or metro.  We got the connection to The Hawthorns station from Moor Street on London Midland trains, four an hour up to six o'clock but note this goes down to two later on.  The Hawthorns station is only five minutes from the ground.

A McDonalds is conveniently placed across from the north-east corner of the stadium - ideal for families.  It's very busy but service is swift.

Away side arrive at the West Stand side (Halfords Lane).

Halfords Lane

We were in the East Stand near to the away fans section.  

East Stand

The ground is pretty smart with navy seats in all four sides with three big imposing one tier stands and the West Stand which is much smaller in size to the rests of the ground.  The stadium is enclosed and all stands are tight to the pitch making for a terrific atmosphere particularly when the home side are on form.

West Stand

Smethwick End Stand

Birmingham Road End Stand

As for the football Chelsea arrived as champions but it was West Brom who took all the honours on the night.  Gaining an early lead and once Febregas was sent off during a heated first half they never looked back.

Line ups

Kick off

Early action

WBA corner

WBA on the offensive

Second half

Fans divide

Home fans celebrate No. 3

On pitch celebrations

The great divide

All in all West Brom's Hawthorns is a great matchday experience.

Personal note:  91st ground.  2nd WBA game.  7th Chelsea game.

MATCH 1604 - Friday, 1 May 2015

Season: 2014/15
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

Celtic move to within touching distance of another title triumph

CELTIC    5   DUNDEE    0

Scorers: Griffiths, Brown, Commons, Forrest, Bitton

Friday night football came to Celtic Park and over 44,000 fans turned up to see Celtic turning on the style with a five star performance against top six opponents, Dundee.

Brown finished off a great passing move to give Celtic a 2-0 half time lead but the pick of the goals came just before the end of the match as Bitton scored his first Celtic Park goal with a majestic long range passing shot into the postage stamp corner. The ball clipped the post on it's way in to add to the quality of the strike which left the fans gasping in awe.

Personal note:  58th Celtic-Dundee match - 42 at Celtic Park & 16 at Dens Park