Hot on the heels of a brace of wins at home to Redditch and away at Blyth, Celtic are back on the road on Saturday when we travel south this time to visit Hinckley United. Hinckley have lost their opening two fixtures 1-0, first away at Alfreton on Saturday, and again on Monday night at home to Boston. Last season Hinckley finished seventh, a mere two points off the play-offs, and seven points ahead of Celtic, after winning sixteen of their games, and losing just ten. There will be a live match centre for this game, and Brian is running a coach (contact on 07940 825957).
Entry to the Marston Stadium is ?10 for adults, concessions ?7 and under sixteen?s are free (terraces only). Transfer to the main stand is a ?1 for all classes.
So far this season, Hinckley have failed to find the net, unlike last season when they were regular scorers, scoring sixty goals (an average of 1.4 per game), while conceding fifty-four (an average of 1.3 per game overall and a goal per game at home). Their most dangerous period was around the hour mark last season, when they scored seventeen goals, whilst the last fifteen of the game were their most vulnerable with sixteen conceded. Their top scorer for Hinckley last season was Adam Webster, on eleven, closely followed by Matt West (eight) and Richard Lavery (seven), none of whom are still with the club.
Celtic, historically, have a good record against Hinckley, and the last time that they beat us was back in January 2005, when they won 2-0 at Bower Fold. Since then, we have played thirteen games, won six and drawn seven. We have only won twice at home though, with four wins coming in Hinckley. Our last two meetings were both 0-0 draws both home and away, whilst out last win over them was a 7-1 thumping in March 2009, at Bower Fold; and our last win at the Marston Stadium was the same season, in September 2008 when we won 1-0, Lee Ellington getting the only goal in an otherwise even game.
Hinckley appear to be injury free ahead of the match. Striker Ben Fairclough does have a suspension coming up for his sending off against Alfreton, but that does not start until the 28th. In their last match, the 1-0 defeat at home to Boston, Hinckley lined up as:
1. Danny Haystead
2. James Mace
3. Stephen Morley
4. Dan Dillon
5. Richard Munday
6. Connor Franklin
7. Lloyd Kerry
8. Gavin Strachan
9. Ben Fairclough
10. Andre Gray
11. James Reid
Celtic are likewise injury free. Craig Hobson?s sending off against Redditch on the opening day does not come into effect until the 28th, and he will miss Nuneaton away, Harrogate and Gainsborough at home. In Celtic?s last match, the 2-1 away win over Blyth Spartans, Celtic lined up as:
1. Jan Budtz
2. Glen Rule
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Jack Rea
5. Laquan Esdaille
6. Kristian Platt
7. Jody Banim
8. Greg Wilkinson
9. Phil Marsh
10. Craig Hobson
11. Conner Jennings
Celtic are currently one of six teams on six points, level with Corby Town in joint third, three goals behind Telford.
Other games on Saturday:
Blyth Spartans v Corby Town
Eastwood Town v Workington
Gainsborough Trinity v AFC Telford
Gloucester City v Ilkeston Town
Harrogate Town v Solihull Moors
Hyde v Alfreton Town
Nuneaton Town v Droylsden
Redditch United v Boston United
Stafford Rangers v Guiseley
Vauxhall Motors v Worcester City