Match Report -
Away Loss At Brackley
By Debbie Taylor

Celtic drew a line under their final Conference North game for at least a season with a game symptomatic of the season.

Grant Shenton was again the busier keeper, especially early on, twice denying James Armson, first getting across the face of goal to block a towering back post header, then, later, a flying one handed save from the same player. David Moyo was also denied by the Celtic keeper as the home side looked for an opener. Lee Ndolvu should have opened the scoring with a drilled shot from the edge of the box, but went narrowly wide.

There was only so much Shenton could do, and when Armson went one-on-one, Shenton was rounded and though Danny Morton got back to the line, the ball was slotted into the bottom corner.

Moments later and it was to, Armson getting onto a cross from Moyo, his initial shot crashing back off the underside of the bar, as did his second attempt, but this time adjudged to have crossed the line.

And then it was three, this time Ndolvu on the end of a Moyo cross to tap in from close range.

The second half continued in the same vein, at least to start. Moyo on the end of Ndolvu's cross the time, unmarked, and nodding in Brackley's fourth.

Celtic weren't just spectators in the game, despite the almost one-way traffic. There had been plenty of attacks that fizzled out with the final ball, but when Adam Mather laid off Aaron Chalmers, Chalmers put the ball out to Porya Ahmadi to cut inside and curl a fabulous effort over the outstretched hand of Laurie Walker.

Ahmadi twice went close, before, back to goal in the box, Gareth Graham dragged him backwards during a corner. No question, penalty. Gary Gee stepped up to take it and provided a very good penalty, giving Walker no chance.

Celtic were looking much more lively, with James Roberts firing over the bar from a sharp angle, as did Ahmadi, with both Chalmers and Roberts well placed. Chalmers also headed wide off a free kick, and Brackley were starting to look a little shakey.

But there was not really enough time for Celtic to get back into the game, and with Celtic pressing high, the last kick off the match saw Steve Diggin race into the empty space and fire in Brackley's fifth on the run.

So Celtic end their permanent tenure in the Conference North, joined in relegation on the last day by Worcester, who also lost.

1Walker, Laurie  
2Myles, EllisYellow Card 
3Budger, Alex  
4Byrne, Shane  
5Graham, Gareth  
6Dean, Gareth  
7Clifton, James  
8Armson, James  > 64
9Ndlovu, Ler  > 70
10Moyo, David  > 70
11Walker, Adam  
12Lowe, Matt  < 64
14Gough, Jordan  
15Digging, Steve  < 70
16Hempenstall, Jordan  
17Pitt, David  < 70