Match Report -
Celtic kick off with a loss
By Iain Benson
Celtic's opening match of their Centenary season saw Celtic fall to their first defeat of the season.

The first half was evenly contested, with only a wonder strike from Liam Blakeman on thirty-eight minutes separating the two sides at the interval, sweetly striking a loose ball from the edge of the box. Earlier, ex-Celt, Steve Torpey saw his goal-bound free kick tipped onto the bar by Celtic custodian Paul Phillips, with Betram-Russell missing the rebound from close range. While Joe O'Neill went close for Celtic, smashing Warren Peyton's centre inches over the bar, and forcing Ryan Young into an excellent save. Blakeman had a great chance to double his tally when he got behind the defence, but dragged his shot across the face and narrowly wide with Phillips stretching just before half time.

The second half saw Celtic pressing, but not getting a sniff of a chance against a solid defensive unit, though O'Neill's effort after Smart's free kick struck the wall had to be hacked off the line by Cowan. Telford defended well, and attacked on the counter very effectively. Bertram-Russell was put through one-on-one with Phillips, the Celtic keeper saving superbly with his feet. As the half went towards stoppage time, with Celtic pushing forward looking for an equaliser, Telford capitalised through Matt Nolan being in the right place to tap home a bouncing ball that cleared Phillips and fell nicely for the Telford substitute. The gloss was put on the result for the visitors, when fellow substitute Jon Adams catching a half volley superbly well to send the ball into the back of the net from twenty yards.

1Young, Ryan  
2Vaughan, LeeYellow Card 
3Jellyman, Gareth  
4Cowan, GavinYellow Card 
5Turner, Jimmy  
6Blakeman, Liam  
7Trainer, Phil  
8Rodgers, Carl  
9Carey-Bertram, Danny  > 71
10Brown, Andy  > 86
11Torpey, Steve  > 68
12Adams, Jon  < 68
14Field, Tom  
15Vermiglio, Jamie  < 86
16Nolan, Matt  < 71
17Jagielka, Steve  
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Man of the Match Sponsor
Paul Cannings