Celtic?s second home game of the campaign sees Worksop Town the visitors. Worksop have a one hundred percent away record this season, having beaten newly promoted Workington in their opening fixture. Since then, they have failed to register a win at Sandy Lane, losing to Stafford Rangers and drawing against Alfreton Town.
When we played Worksop at Bower Fold last season, they got an unlikely draw, scoring over a minute after the stated stoppage time, Dempsey snatching an equaliser after a slip from Grant Black put him one on one with Celtic?s stand in goalkeeper Phil Robinson. That matched the draw gained at their place on the opening game of the season, except the equaliser there came in the opening minute of the second half. Thus, if Celtic are going to kick-start the second season of Conference North football, they will have to keep their wits about them for however long the game is played.
This is not something Celtic have done in two of their opening three games, leaking late goals against the two relegated sides Northwich and Leigh to gain just one point out of the two games.
Three different players have scored Worksop?s three goals: Mark Wilson, Richard Carrington and Anthony Jackson, scoring twice in the first half, and once in the second. They have also conceded three goals in total, one in the first half and two in the second. Celtic by comparison have conceded seven goals, two in the first half, and five in the second, three in stoppage time. Celtic?s six goals have come from just two players, Neil Prince and Lee Ellington, with Neil Prince finding the net twice from the spot, and twice from penalty misses.
These goals have put Celtic in the top five attacks so far this season, and topping the penalties converted chart. Celtic now need to add to these stats and kick off their season with a win in order to ensure that last season?s start is not repeated, and Celtic at least keep the league leaders in sight.
Worksop have completed the signing of striker Callum Flanagan who was sensationally sacked from Manchester United after being convicted of dangerous driving with reserves strike partner Mads Timm. The signing comes just in time, as Richard Carrington is facing a ban for a sending off in a summer 5-a-side tournament.
In their recent draw at home to Alfreton Town, Worksop Town lined up as:
1. Adam Sollitt
2. Michael Simpkins
3. Anthony Jackson
4. Kevin Davies
5. Steve Nicholson
6. Paul Dempsey
7. Miles Thorpe
8. Mark Wilson
9. Glenn Kirkwood
10. Richard Carrington
11. Blake Norton
Celtic will be without the services of Darren Hockenhull is who is responding well to treatment, but is still some weeks away from returning, though a favourable report from the fractures clinic next week may see him back at training. Also absent will be Ben Smith, who strained a groin muscle against Hyde, and may well be back in time for the home clash with Vauxhall Motors. Finally, Phil Eastwood broke a metatarsel in training midweek, and looks likely to be out of action for about four months. The injury hoodoo is still in full swing, then.
In our recent loss at Leigh RMI, Celtic lined up as:
1. Paul Pettinger
2. Grant Black
3. Mark Barnard
4. Barrie Keeling
5. Mark Haran
6. Chris Price
7. Steve Smith
8. Nathan Wharton
9. Lee Ellington
10. James Turley
11. Neil Prince
It is still early days in the campaign but previous seasons have left fans eying Celtic?s stuttering start with some trepidation, a win would go a long way to calming nerves on the terraces.
