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Stalybridge Celtic 4 - 0 Solihull Moors

2/ 4/2008

THE Celts moved into second spot in Blue Square North after a four-goal defeat of a poor Solihull Moors side.

A swamp of a playing surface did not help either side, but Celtic – playing down the slope – bossed the second half and added three further goals to Steve Torpey’s first-half strike. That came when a superb pass from Ashley Winn was dummied by James Dean, allowing Torpey to lash a shot into the top corner.

Celtic could have been in front before then as Steve Payne saw a header cleared off the line and Crane was forced into saving Alex Meechan’s cross. There was also time for Torpey and Chris Hall to spurn opportunities as Celtic sought to extend their advantage with half-time approaching.

Leading 1-0 at the break, the Blues quickly doubled their lead when Andy Smart’s inswinging free kick was glanced home by Hall for his 18th goal of the season.

Celtic’s third goal was the best of the lot as Winn slipped the ball through to Dean who went round the keeper before slotting the ball home.

With Solihull becoming progressively worse, Torpey made it four by notching his second of the afternoon. Hall could have joined him had he not missed an excellent chance to make it 5-0, firing into the side-netting after doing the hard work by taking the ball around the keeper.

Winn – who picked up yet another booking – twice fired off target, Smart saw an effort held by Crane who also had to deny Dean and Wilkinson.

Solihull were so poor that they failed to pose much of a threat to Celtic keeper Paddy Gamble, his only save coming late on to deny Anderson.

With four games left of the season, second place is a definite aim for Celtic as top spot would require a collapse of monumental proportions from Kettering Town.

Attendance: 504