Stalybridge Celtic

Date published: 03 August 2010

Two games this week, a comprehensive victory in Birkenhead when Celtic took on Cammell Laird, with goals from John Hardiker and Lee Elam in the first half and one from Phil Marsh in the second half on a pitch desperately in need of a mow.

Between the two games, Celtic signed Glen Rule, Kristian Platt, Nathan Finnigan, Lloyd Ellams, Laquan Esdaille and Jack Rea, with the promise of more to come this week. Rule (20), Platt (19), Ellams (19) and Rea (18) are all products of the Chester youth system and have all played for the first team, whilst Finnigan (18) played for the Celtic reserves and Abbey Hey, but missed out on Saturday’s game with an injured ankle. Esdaille (18) is from Oldham’s youth team.

Saturday saw a goalless draw between FC United of Manchester and Celtic at Bower Fold. It was a competitive game, with FC United giving starts to former Celtic players Richard Battersby, Carlos Roca, Nicky Platt and Steve Torpey, as well as new signing Mike Norton. It was Norton who had the early chances, rattling the crossbar, testing trialist keeper Kieran Gonzalez, and firing over, whilst his strike partner Jerome Wright to also hit the crossbar. Lloyd Ellams hit the crossbar at the other end for Celtic, and Craig Hobson’s follow up header was wide and over.

Glen Rule forced Sam Ashton in the FC nets into a fine stop, with Hobson denied by the slightest of touches from Scott McManis for an easy tap in at the far post. Wright finished the half as he had started by hitting the crossbar. Celtic swapped keepers in the second half, and Ben Sayor was up to the challenge of beating away Norton’s strike, whilst Celtic trialist Callum Warburton saw his powerful edge of the box strike well parried by Ashton.

Celtic are looking to sign another four this week from the trialists that have been on show, with the Witton game on Tuesday their last chance to shine.

Results for the last two games:
Sat, 31st July FC United of Manchester (Friendly) Home 0 - 0
Tue, 27th July Cammell Laird (Friendly) Away 3 - 0 Hardiker, Elam, Marsh

Next 10 games:
Date Opposition 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
Sat, 4th September Gainsborough Trinity Home
Sat, 11th September Stafford Rangers Away