Stalybridge Celtic

Date published: 26 April 2010

Two games this week, and we lost them both.

Northwich on Tuesday saw a fairly even game, with the home side just edging the spurned chances. Celtic started the stronger, with Connor Jennings forcing Curtis Aspden into a scrambled save, and Matty Barlow forcing the home keeper into a better stop, whilst at the other end, Dave Carnell had to stop a dangerous effort from Wayne Riley, and be brave when facing Brian Dutton one-on-one.Just before half time, Andy Smart lost out to John Newby leaving the Vics man free to run on goal, and he finished past Dave Carnell with ease.

The second half saw chances for both to add to the score-line, Mark Danks denied by unorthodox but effective keeping from Carnell, and John Newby’s effort from the corner was superbly saved at point blank range by the Celtic keeper, whilst Tom Smyth’s volley off a free kick snicked the post on the way out.

Brian Dutton took advantage of a bouncing ball clearing both Barrie Keeling and Dave Carnell to tap in from inches out before Celtic got going in the half. Joel Bembo-Lita pushed the ball wide as Celtic passed the ball around Northwich, and Graeme Law fired in a first time cross that saw Connor Jennings stoop in on, and guide past Aspden’s flailing arm. Though Celtic pressed, Northwich managed to hang onto their slim advantage, and try to counter, Johnny Allan firing straight at Carnell, until right at the end, when Joe O’Neill was handed a glorious chance to equalise, Warren Peyton’s through ball freeing Celtic’s top scorer, and he nutmegged Aspden, only to see the faintest of touches from the Vic’s keeper deflect the ball and inch wide.

Saturday, Celtic travelled to Fleetwood, knowing that beating Fleetwood would end their title hopes regardless of outcome of the Southport Eastwood game after Fleetwood’s appeal over Farsley’s points expulsion was rejected. However, Fleetwood have been there or there abouts all season for a reason, and though Michael Carr had the first effort of the game spectacularly tipped over the bar by Danny Hurst, Fleetwood’s pressure was constant, and required a good defensive performance from Tim Ryan and Steve Woods.

When they did get past the central defenders, they lacked the luck, and after Dave Carnell saved exceptionally well from Adam Warlow, Warlow saw his follow up hit the post, whilst Nathan Pond missed a gaping net from yards out, lifting the ball over the bar.

The second half saw Pond force Carnell into a superb save and it could have been Celtic who snatched the points when Joe O’Neill dragged the ball back for Connor Jennings, but his shot into the bottom corner was well collected by Danny Hurst, and Hurst again was in action, denying Warren Peyton’s curling dipping free kick. Fleetwood finally went ahead, after intense build up pressure freed Sean Clancy to curl a shot into the near post, with Dave Carnell slipping, and unable to get to it.

Though Jennings and Wilkinson both went close, Wilkinson’s effort a duplicate of Clancy’s goal, but without the accuracy, it was Fleetwood who added to the score-line, Clancy again keeping his feet when Joel Bembo-Lita slipped and drilling past Carnell. Matty Barlow could have signed off his Celtic time with a goal, but his looping header was just over the bar with Hurst stranded, and Jody Banim forced Hurst into a spectacular full stretch save after Joe O’Neill pulled the ball back to him. Wilkinson took the short corner and forced Hurst into yet another save, so the game finished 2-0 to Fleetwood.

The result didn’t matter as Southport beat Eastwood comfortably, and the league table took its final shape.

Celtic now begin the rebuilding for next season, and Jim Harvey may well be announced before next Friday if a deal can be sorted.

Results for the last two games:

Sat, 24 April Fleetwood Town Away 0 - 2
Tue, 20 April Northwich Victoria Away 1 - 2 Jennings