Celtic suffer defeat at Lancaster

NPL Premier Division: Lancaster City 2-0 Stalybridge Celtic

Celtic fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Lancaster with goals from Sam Fishburn and Paul Dawson ending a difficult evening for Celtic.

Debutant keeper Gio Bellagambi was called into acton early on and made a smart save from a header, that came from a Lancaster long throw.

The hosts did take the lead on 16 minutes, a goal kick went all the way through to Fishburn, the Carlisle United loanee fired a powerful shot at Bellagambi, the Celtic keeper looked to have got his hand to it, but the ball squeezed under him and went all the way in.

Charley Doyle saw a header loop just over the crossbar before Bellagambi made another good save, this time to deny Liam Brockbank who had cleverly dribbled his way into the penalty area. 

Lancaster doubled their lead with 17 minutes to go. A dubious free-kick was awarded by the referee, Dawson stepped up and superbly found the top left corner from 25 yards. 

Celtic looked for a way back and though they had a penalty with just over 10 minutes remaining. Scott Bakkor looked to be caught by Alexander Matthew as he tried to take the ball past hi, the referee thought differently and awarded a corner.

Jack Ryan received a second yellow card in added time and Celtic finished the game with 10 men.

Celtic were unable to find a goal and the home side picked up the three points. 

Celtic are next in action on Saturday August 28, away at Buxton.