Match Report -
Celtic go joint top on points
By Six Yard Sam

It was a case of coming from behind against a very good, well organised Corby Town side that had one of the best defensive records in the league. They attacked Celtic from the off with Sam Ives not quite curling his free kick enough and putting it wide, whilst at the other end, Phil Marsh went close latching onto Andy McWilliams's peach of a cross but flashing it wide.

Corby caught Celtic napping when winger Andy Hall latched onto Matt Rheade's excellent through ball and fire an unstoppable shot past Jan Budtz.

Celtic continued to improve as the game wore on, matching their hosts. Steve Brogan almost pulled one back until a flying one hand save from Chris MacKenzie thwarted him. Connor Jennings came close, nipping into the box, and trying to lob MacKenzie, but MacKenzie was equal to it, with a one handed tip over.

A defensive mix up in the Corby defence gave Connor Jennings a sniff of a chance right on half time, and he took it, twisting around his marker into acres of space and curling a beauty past MacKenzie to put Celtic level.

The second period saw Celtic look the more composed side, Phil Gulliver heading straight at Budtz their best early chance.

Celtic went ahead when Connor Jennings slid the ball through the Corby defence after some wondrous one touch passing for Phil Marsh who did not need asking twice, coming in on the angle and lifting his shot past MacKenzie and into the top corner.

Celtic's passing game kept Corby at bay, content to let Corby to try and take the ball off them, and try and prise an opening in a well marshalled defence. Brogan went close, but MacKenzie was well placed for the distance effort, and so it went on to the last few minutes when Rhys Meynell was adjudged to have tripped Paul Malone just outside the box. Hall took the free kick and it was a beauty but given the score line and the time, Jan Budtz made the save of the match down low near his post to hand Celtic three points.

Those three points put Celtic level on points with Hyde, and with Celtic facing Colwyn Bay on Saturday while Hyde are in cup action, it is a great opportunity for Celtic to return to the top of the table.

1Mackenzie, Chris  
2Gordon, DelroyYellow Card 
3Spruce, Jordan  
4Malone, PaulYellow Card 
5Gulliver, Phil  
6Hibbett, Leon  > 71
7Ives, Sam  > 56
8Towers, Steve  
9Rhead, MattYellow Card > 71
10Smith, Jordan  
11Hall, Andy  
12Land, Tom  
14McDonald, Aynsley  < 56
15Ozmen, James  < 71
16Smith, Gregg  < 71
17Farden, Troy