Match Preview :- Runcorn FC Halton - Tuesday August 24th, 2004 (19:45:00)
On Tuesday evening Celtic make the trip to the Stadium of Hush to take on 10th place Runcorn FC Halton in our second away trip of the league (kick off 7:45).

Runcorn have played one game at home, to Redditch, which they lost, though away from home they have beaten Bradford and drawn with Hucknall. They've scored one goal so far, Mike Garrity snatching a late winner at Bradford. However, they have only conceded one goal as well, with Redditch putting one past McMillan in the 'Corn nets.

Celtic on the other hand have scored in every game, and conceded the same amount, which explains the three draws!

Runcorn have retained much of their squad since the last time we played them, including ex-Celtic front man, Ged Courtney. Though he has yet to register on the score sheet this season. Other faces recognisable to Celtic fans will be defender John Robertson and rightback Lee Prior.

user posted image
Ged Courtney

Their line up is likely to be:
1. Tony McMillan
2. Lee Prior
3. Chris Lightfoot
4. John Robertson
5. Peter Ellis
6. Matthew McGinn
7. Mike Garrity
8. Lee Parle
9. Lee Kissock
10. Ged Courtney
11. Keiran Durkan

Celtic are unbeaten in the league, and are hoping to start converting their draws into wins, starting at Runcorn. In the past, trips to Runcorn have proved fruitless, as the Widnes outfit have been something of a bogey team. Last season we overcame another of our bogey teams in Frickley Athletic, and this season I'm hoping it will be the turn of Runcorn.

Dean Calcutt will be available for selection, and will probably go straight into the opening line-up, though Gregg Pearce is almost fit, and Terry Bowker likewise, one or the other could find themselves only on the bench. Given Ben Smith's outstanding performances at rightback recently, Dave German is going to have a hard time wrestling that position off him when Pearce or Bowker return to partner Keeling. With Danny Caldecott and Chris Denham both still injured, and Celtic's hopefully new signing still a week away at least (thanks to the vagaries of the international clearing system), Celtic will probably run out with only one change ? Dean Calcutt in place of Ian Monk:
1. Craig Dootson
2. Dave German
3. Tony Whealing
4. Ben Smith
5. Barrie Keeling
6. Nathan Wharton
7. Paul Sykes
8. Kevin Parr
9. Andy Hayward
10. Phil Eastwood
11. Dean Calcutt

Celtic have got to start winning soon, and Runcorn is as good a place as any to get that ball rolling.
Directions
Distance: 44
Time: 50 minutes

From M60 Junction 1 (Stockport) head clockwise towards Preston.
After 5 miles Join the M62 towards Warrington and Liverpool.
Stay on the M62 for 16 and a half miles to junction 7 (Widnes, Prescott and St Helens).
At the roundabout at the end of the slip road, turn left (exit 1 of 6) onto A57 (Widnes road).
Take the next right onto the B5149.
After 3/4 of a mile, there is a junction with the A5080 (Lunts Heath Road).
Turn right onto the A5080.
Immediately, there is a roundabout.
Turn left (exit 1 of 3) onto the A568.
After 1 and a half miles, turn right onto Leigh Avenue.
Take the next left, and the Halton Stadium is down here, on the left.