Match Report -
Celtic slip to third
By Iain Benson
Celtic dropped to third after two second half goals from visiting Telford slowed the play off train, though not derailing it.

The first half was an even affair, with neither side able to create much, though Rodgers shot wide for the Bucks and Dean for Celtic, and Hall was annoyed when a shove from Charlton after getting to into the box sent him tumbling without any reward. With the action to-ing and fro-ing, first Vermiglio forced Gamble into a low save to his left, before Hall did the same to Young at the other end of the pitch.

As the half went towards a goalless conclusion, an effort from Turner had to be tipped away by Gamble at the expense of a pair of corners that Telford could not convert, instead, Torpey breaking away and dropping the ball off to Hall, harshly adjudged offside. The balance of power swayed back towards the blue again, and a foul on Smart by Turner was floated across the box to Hall who trapped the ball for Dean, and a knock out of the box to Torpey to run onto, which he did with devastating effect, curling a left foot shot around the defence and the outstretched arm of Young into the top corner to open the scoring with seconds left on the clock for the first half.

Telford needed an instant reply, and they went hunting for it, putting the Celtic back line under pressure, a shout for handball when Adams won the ball in the middle of the park went unheeded, and allowed Adams to find Vermiglio who made an excellent diagonal run across the box, and from twenty-five yards curled a beautiful shot into the top corner, squeezing between Gamble's hand, post and crossbar.

A weak free kick from Charlton straight into Gamble's arms heralded a change of play and Celtic started moving the ball around with more urgency, a tame Dean effort easily collected by Young, and Hall unlucky to see his effort blocked on the line by a defender. Despite all the urgency, the Telford back line showed why they have one of the best defences in the league.

Another shout for handball went unheeded as Jagielka took the ball away from Keeling, but seconds later, when the ball struck Winn's arm a yard inside the Celtic box, the referee not only gave the handball, but gave it as a free kick outside the box. Charlton took the free kick, and there were several deflections through the raggedy wall and Telford players taking the ball just beyond Gamble reach and sending the visiting hordes into raptures.

If Celtic had been on the hurry up before the goal, they were positively racing after it. Torpey almost got something out of the game with a last gasp shot, but it needed more power to beat Young low down to his left.

Celtic will be wondering just what will be needed to beat Telford, as the Shropshire side have justifiably taken six points off Celtic this season with home and away victories after solid defensive performances and taking every chance they can themselves. They join only Nuneaton to have accomplished a six point haul of Celtic this season. Results elsewhere meant that a win would have confirmed Celtic as runners up, but now three points are needed next week against Redditch to ensure a top three finish.

1Young, Ryan  
2Turner, Jimmy  
3Charlton, Asa  
4Rodgers, Carl  
5Roberts, Dave  
6Thomas, Vaughan  
7Adams, JonYellow Card 
8Nwadike, Emeka  > 64
9Lewis, Matty  > 69
10Moore, Lee  
11Vermiglio, Jamie  > 72
12Jagielka, Steve  < 64
14Reynolds, Luke  
15Whitehead, Stuart  < 72
16Holmes, Ian  < 69
17Husbands, Michael  
Match Sponsor
Roy Oldham
Ball Sponsor
Martin Wareing
Man of the Match Sponsor
HMG Paints