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Stalybridge Celtic 1-1 Kings Lynn

3/ 9/2008

TEN-MAN Celtic produced a stirring performance on Saturday but were unable to record their first home win of the season.

Midfielder Terry Barwick was sent off after 36 minutes after appearing to elbow David Bridgwater, but it was the visitors who had to withstand a pounding from the fired-up Celts.

After a quiet opening the game sprung into life midway through the first half. Scott Howie reacted superbly to save a Lee Ellington cross shot, and Keith Briggs saw his goalbound effort blocked by Mark Peters.

Celtic were on top, and they took the lead on 33 minutes with a fine goal as great interplay between Ellington and Nathan Joynes freed Chris Williams and his exquisite finish gave Howie no chance.

The Linnets were rocking, but then came Barwick’s indiscretion and suddenly the boot was seemingly on the other foot. Celtic were not fazed though and Briggs went close to doubling the lead right on half-time.

Lynn threw an extra man up front as the second half commenced and Jack Defty rounded Paul Phillips, only to be foiled by a magnificent last-gasp challenge by Barrie Keeling.

It was Keeling who was caught out though when Defty rose above him to power home a header from Joe Francis’ cross on the hour.

Given that they had been reduced to 10 men, no-one would have been surprised had Steve Burr’s charges settled for a point, but instead they went all out for a winner.

Briggs, Williams and substitute Matty Barlow all went close before Howie produced a superb stop to deny Steve Torpey, but then Francis almost produced an unlikely winner when he shot against Phillips’ right-hand post.

Right at the death, Barlow could have won it for the Celts but he glanced Ashley Woolliscroft’s header narrowly wide and the chance was gone.

Attendance: 489

Keith Trudgeon