Celtic extend unbeaten league run to five games

BetVictor Premier Division: Lancaster City 0-0 Stalybridge Celtic

Celtic shared the points with Lancaster City as they stretched their unbeaten run to seven games.

Neither side could find a winning goal, in a game that saw several Celtic chances. Celtic started the game well and Jonathan Ustabasi was the first to test Lancaster keeper Sam Ashton on five minutes. Ustabasi and Osei exchanged passes, Ustabasi then sent a powerful strike towards goal which was tipped over by Ashton. Celtic continued to press for an early goal and had a few half openings through Ustabasi and Craig Hobson.

It was on 15 minutes when Celtic should have taken the lead. Hobson managed to beat the offside trap, he squared the ball for Osei, the ball bounced just in front of the striker who couldn’t slot the ball home. Alex Fojticek was rarely tested in a half that saw numerous Celtic chances. On 26 minutes, Osei drove towards goal, he was tackled and the ball fortuitously fell to Ustbasi, he took aim but saw his shot blocked for a corner. Moments before the break, Ross Dent did well to take the ball past Lewis Fensome, his cross from the left was met by Hobson who headed towards goal, Ashton made a cracking save to keep Celtic out yet again.

Celtic started the second half with the same intensity as the first. Ustabasi picked out Hobson at the back post, he headed the ball down to Scott Bakkor, whose shot went over the bar. On 63 minutes, Ustabasi sent a dangerous cross in from the left, which forced Ashton to parry the ball behind for a corner. Simon Haworth looked to his benching brought on Harry Freedman and Neil Kengni but Celtic couldn’t find that killer touch.

Osei had a chance on 73 minutes, the striker cut infield from the left, he curled an effort towards goal which was blocked. Both teams struggled for the final 15 minutes and the game ended in a goal-less draw.

Celtic left the Giant Axe with a deserved point.

By Taran Dhamrait