Browse Sections

• Local football
• Local cricket

Hinckley Utd 0 Stalybridge Celtic 3

Trefor Williams
27/ 2/2008

THE Blues moved back into a Blue Square North play-off berth after their second away win of the weekend in Leicestershire on Monday evening.

Once again, the game was played in blustery conditions, but this time the large flat pitch suited Celtic’s style of play and they were able to produce some flowing football.

The visitors dominated from the off and ought to have been in front before they finally took the lead on the half-hour mark when Alex Meechan latched onto a loose ball and raced clear before calmly lobbing the stranded keeper for a cool finish from 25 yards.

Celtic had to withstand some pressure from then on as the home side surged back, but once again, Paddy Gamble was in great form to preserve the lead.

In first-half stoppage time, the Blues extended their advantage following a howler from Sean Bowles in the home goal.

Ashley Woolliscroft and Steve Torpey worked a short corner move on the right and the latter’s inswinging cross shot was fumbled by the keeper, allowing the predatory Matty Barlow to pounce and score.

Bowles paid the price and was substituted at half-time, after which Hinckley had use of the wind and put Celtic under severe pressure at times as Gamble produced terrific saves to deny Adam Webster and Gaz Murphy.

Substitute Ashley Winn sidefooted a great chance over the bar for Celtic before the visitors made the game safe in the 82nd minute when Lee Ellington was upended by Richard Lavery, allowing Andy Smart to slam home the resultant penalty.

The Celts could have added further goals in the dying minutes against by now demoralised opponents, but manager Steve Burr will be delighted that his side have shown their promotion credentials with six ponts and six goals from two such tricky away games.

Attendance: 423