Match Preview :- AFC Telford - Saturday November 9th, 2013 (15:00:00)

On Saturday Celtic travel to the home of the Industrial Revolution when we visit AFC Telford for the Skrill North clash. Telford are currently in seventh on twenty-two points, just two points and two places ahead of Celtic although they've played a game less. There will be a match centre for this game.

Telford have come down from the Premier division, after a disappointing season, and were tipped as favourites to go straight back up. With six out of thirteen wins, they are hovering in or around the play-offs, but with four draws and three losses, staying in the play-offs is proving difficult. They have only lost once at home this season, when Harrogate Town beat them 1-0 back at the start of September. Worcester City and Solihull Moors have both held Telford to draws. Most recently, Telford have had two away ties, losing at Stockport 4-2 and drawing at Brackley Town in a tricky tie.

Telford have a very good record against Celtic, at Bower Fold, with Celtic's last win over Telford at Bower Fold back in September 1994! That was ten games ago. At Telford, Celtic have fared a little better, and although we lost our last meeting there, 1-0 under Steve Burr back in March 2011. However in 2010, we beat them both in the league and in the FA Trophy (after holding them to a 1-1 draw at Bower Fold). At the Bucks Head, since 1992, we have played twelve, won five, drawn two and lost five.

Telford's top scorer this season so far is Sean Clancy with four goals, with Mike Phenix and Craig Farrell both right behind him on three, but their twenty goals this season have been spread among ten different players. They have kept three clean sheets, two at home, and failed to score twice (both at home). Their best result this season is their 4-1 home win over Colwyn Bay.

Telford appear to be injury free, and have no suspensions. In their last match, the 1-1 draw with Brackley Town, Telford lined up as:
1. Ryan Young
2. Wes Baynes
3. Matty McGinn
4. Neil Byrne
5. Simon Grand
6. Mike Grogan
7. Sean Cooke
8. Russell Benjamin
9. Andy Owens
10. Tony Gray
11. Sean Clancy

Kelvin Bleau is still Celtic's major injury doubt after his concussion a few weeks ago, however, Celtic too are Suspension free, and Keith Briggs is now eligible to play, now his loan spell at Barrow has expired. In Celtic's last game, the 2-1 home win over Histon, Celtic lined up as: 1. Matty Urwin
2. Tom Buckley
3. Andy McWilliams
4. Mark Lees
5. Joel Bembo-Leta
6. Kristian Platt
7. Lewis Hatch
8. Callum Warburton
9. Obi Anorou
10. Sean McConville
11. Conal Platt

It's difficult to see who Keith Briggs would drop after the previous three performances, if he wishes to play himself, so will probably start on the bench. A win for Celtic on Saturday would see us leap-frog Telford, and reach seventh or eighth clawing back the distance to the play-offs, but this will be Keith Briggs's first game in charge away from home, and it is against tough opponents. A loss could see us drop to eleventh, with Histon and Vauxhall playing each other and either capable of overtaking us.

Other matches this Saturday:
Boston United (25pts 6th) v Colwyn Bay (14pts 15th)
Gainsborough Trinity (10pts 19th) v Brackley Town (28pts 2nd)
Gloucester City (10pts 20th) v Altrincham (26pts 4th)
Harrogate Town (17pts 12th) v Worcester City (9pts 21st)
Hednesford Town (32pts 1st) v Bradford Park Avenue (21pts 8th)
Histon (18pts 10th) v Vauxhall Motors (18pts 11th)
Leamington FC (11pts 16th) v Guiseley (14pts 14th)
North Ferriby United (28pts 3rd) v Barrow (10pts 18th)
Oxford City (8pts 22nd) v Stockport County (16pts 13th)
Solihull Moors (26pts 5th) v Workington (11pts 17th)

Directions
Distance: 100
Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

From the M67 join the M60 towards Stockport.
After 7 miles, leave the M60 at Junction 4 (Chester, M6) to join the M56 Stay on the M56 for 7 miles, coming off at junction 7 (Northwich, M6) to join the A556.
The roundabout can be avoided by using the slip road.
Stay on the A556 for 5 miles to the roundabout with the M6.
Join the M6 southbound (Birmingham) avoiding the roundabout by using the slip road.
Stay on the M6 for 52 miles, coming off at junction 11 (Wolverhampton).
At the roundabout at the end of the slip road turn right (exit 4 of 5) onto the A460.
Stay on the A460 for 2 miles to the junction with the M54.
At the roundabout with the M54, turn right (exit 3 of 4) to join the M54 towards Telford.
Stay on the M54 for 17 miles to junction 6 (Telford West).
At the roundabout at the end of the slip road turn right (exit 3 of 4) onto the A518 (you will go down a hill and past Tesco).
Almost immediately, there is a roundabout.
Go straight across (exit 2 of 3) to stay on the A518.
Almost immediately, there is a roundabout.
Go straight ahead (exit 2 of 4) to stay on the A518, following the signs for Whitchurch A442.
After 300 yards, there is a roundabout dominated by Furrows Ford garage.
Turn left (exit 1 of 5) onto Haybridge Road.
As you cross over a railway bridge, there is parking for the ground on your left (in Telford college of technology).
The ground is opposite the college.