Match Report -
Celtic wobble continues
By Iain Benson

Having already knocked us out of the FA Cup, Celtic are out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Guiseley for the second time in two seasons. A good first half performance was quickly forgotten with a comprehensive Guiseley display in the second ensured Celtic would not proceed through to the next round.

Looking like they meant business, Celtic set about Guiseley in the opening exchanges, with Phil Marsh twisting well onto a great ball from Rhys Meynell, before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box that had Steve Drench flying to his top corner to tip the ball out for a corner. This was followed up by an even better save to fly across the face of goal to deny Steve Brogan from a free kick that curled towards goal. Hobson was the final piece in a six man move that was swift and decisive like the Celtic at the start of the season, with his powerful drive wide of the mark. At the other end, Guiseley looked dangerous from set pieces, but Andy Holdsworth free kick didn't cause Jan Budtz too many problems, whilst Ciaran Toner should have done better when he got behind the Celtic defence, but instead rolled the ball to Budtz.

Somewhat against the run of play, Chris Senior grabbed a goal for the hosts. After a poor clearance from the Celtic defence, Ciaran Toner latched onto a square ball and smashed it towards the bottom corner. Budtz did really well to fly across and palm it away, only for the ball to fall to Chris Senior. Despite the attentions of two Celtic defenders, Senior prodded the ball into the back of the net past the grasping Budtz.

Brogan put in another good free kick, though the save for Drench was more comfortable this time, whilst Drench had to be on his toes to deny Hobson's flicked header off Brogan's cross. Save of the match had to be after an excellent move put Marsh through and, on the turn, he smashed a goal-bound shot that saw Drench tip the ball around his post with an outstanding save.

The game was set up for an exciting second half that never materialised. Guiseley were content to stifle the midfield, and though Hobson got a couple of good chances, his lofted header over the defence was the closest he came, with Drench getting across to claim. The travelling fans knew it was over when a fifty yard pass found Jamie Clarke in acres of space, with the time and composure to find Chris Senior at the back post, who nodded the ball down to Andy Holdsworth to prod under Budtz from a yard out. It was a well worked goal, and gave Guiseley the cushion to control the match utterly.

Celtic pressed and probed, but could find no way through. And in the last five minutes, it looked more likely the home side would score a third than Celtic to pull one back. Debutant Ollie Banks (on for Greg Wilkinson) had a disastrous early touch when he played former Celtic striker, Joe O'Neill in, but Jan Budtz was determined not to be beaten again, and made a good stop, whilst Gavin Rothery finally found some space from the attentions of Platt and Lynch to unleash a twenty-yard curling effort that beat everybody but not the post, and Budtz claimed off the rebound. Right at the death, a running shot from substitute Danny Forrest was straight down Budtz's throat, but it showed that the home side had more fight left in them.

Celtic will have to pick up the pieces and dig deep if they are to find their early season form again and finish the season how it was started. Inconsistent Hinckley are next up, and Celtic should put the Guiseley game behind them, the Nethermoor is not a ground renowned for results for Celtic.

1Drench, Steven  
2Clarke, Jamie  
3Merris, Dave  
4Toner, Ciaran  
5Ellis, Danny  
6Ainge, Simon  
7Senior, ChrisYellow Card > 83
8Boshell, Danny  > 75
9Ellington, Lee  > 79
10Rothery, Gavin  
11Holdsworth, Andy  
12Burns, Michael  
14Forrest, Danny  < 83
15ONeill, Joe  < 79
16Baldry, Simon  < 75
18Giles, Jacob