Stalybridge Celtic

Date published: 25 July 2010

Another good performance from the team at Buxton, though as the side reorganised to try out new players and formation, Buxton capitalised with two goals to leave the final score 2-1. A great goalkeeping performance from Buxton (Scott Hartley), meant Celtic couldn't capitalise on some good efforts.

Again Celtic went ahead early, Craig Hobson tapping in after a cracking save from Lloyd Elam's shot was put onto the post. A free kick from Jody Banim smacked against the crossbar, Hobson controlled and shot, forcing Hartley into a good stop, but nowhere near as good as the follow up save as Elam attempted to fire home the rebound.

Celtic's keeper, Will Jones, was also called into action a couple of times, a diagonal ball pushed onto the post from Kirsten Dennis, whilst he was at full stretch to deny Keiran Lugsden. A neat free kcik routine, and a one two between Banim and Elam saw Hartley deny a superb one-on-one with Banim.

The second half saw many substitutions and while the back line reoganised, Dennis got into a position to lob Jones with pace, and bring the scores level. Connor Jennings forced Hartley into another one-on-one stop, and Joel Bembo-Lita was unlucky after Glen Rule's cross was fumbled and Bembo-Lita reacted fasted to nod towards goal, but went narrowly wide. That miss was rued with five minutes to go when a cross in from the right was met with a flicked header from Keiran Lugsden and Jones couldn't reach it.

Some of the football on show was impressive and is getting much better quickly as the team are putting in four times as much training as they would have done last season by this point.

Hopefully, Celtic will be announcing six signatures on Monday as the team starts to take shape. This announcement should be around noon, so keep an eye on the website.

Results for the last two games:
Sat, 24th July Buxton (Friendly) Away 1 - 2 Hobson
Sat, 17th July Congleton Town (Friendly) Away 1 - 2 Hobson

Next 10 games: Date Opposition H/A Notes
Tue, 27th July Cammell Laird Away
Sat, 31st July FC United of Manchester Home
Tue, 3rd August Witton Albion Away
Sat, 7th August Fleetwood Town Home
Sat, 14th August Redditch United Home
Tue, 17th August Blyth Spartans Away
Sat, 21st August Hinckley United Away
Tue, 24th August Vauxhall Motors Home
Sat, 28th August Nuneaton Town Away
Mon, 30th August Harrogate Town Home