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Let battle commence

30/ 4/2008

Stalybridge Celtic.......6
Redditch Utd..............0

THE Blues advanced into the play-offs in fine style with a sumptuous demolition of the mid-table Midlanders.

Despite manager Steve Burr resting several of his normal starting XI, Celtic still had far to much to offer for the visitors who, with nothing to play for, presented little real resistance once the home side had surged into a 38th minute lead.

There had been little evidence of the riches to follow up to that point but that was all to change dramatically once the Blues finally got their act together and skipper Steve Payne had slammed home the opener.

Seconds before the interval, the excellent James Dean cut in from the left before unleashing a terrific low drive that fizzed into the bottom corner of Danny Lewis’ net to double Celtic’s advantage and set the stage for a second-half bombardment of the United goal.

Indeed, for much of the second 45 minutes, Celtic were simply irresistible.

Dean planted a great header just wide before Payne nodded Andy Smart’s corner back across goal for Lee Ellington to mark his return after injury with a well-placed far-post header for 3-0.

Lewis then produced a superb save low to his right to deny Alex Meechan after the move of the match before Dean headed narrowly over.

With 13 minutes left, substitute Steve Torpey latched onto Dean’s brilliant through ball and planted alow drive beyond Lewis with his first touch, before Dean then cut in from the left to hammer a shot into the bottom corner.

In the final minute Terry Barwick crossed for Ellington to head his second and Celtic’s sixth and send the fans into the play-offs happy.

As well as the goals, there was also encouragement in the form of debutant Michael Roddy who impressed with his quality, his work rate and his enthusiasm when replacing Payne.

The Celts will be hoping for a bumper turnout next Sunday when the play-off semi-final second leg takes place against Southport after Wednesday’s first tie at Haig Avenue.

It would be great if the town could mobilise, come out in numbers and play its part in helping the Blues back into the Conference.

Attendance: 576