Match Report -
Hard Won
By Debbie Taylor

Witton may feel that they were cheated out of victory in a rainy Wincham Park.

They started by far the better side, creating the best chances. In the opening quarter of an hour, Anane had the chance to put the game out of Celtic's hands, when in the first instance, he got on the end of a well crossed ball, and shot goal-bound. Ingham, back between the sticks due to a cup-tied Fish, saved brilliantly from the close range effort, to send the ball over the bar for a corner.

Minutes later Gleghorne, the player manager for Witton, put Anane through again, this time he rounded Ingham, and tried to slot home, but Crookes stretched a leg on the line to put around the post. Tempers were again fraying in Celtic colours, Filson shoved Gleghorne and received a fortunate yellow.

Celtic capitalised on Witton's missed opportunities, when from a corner, Montgomery, the Witton keeper, dropped Scott's corner, for Parr to pounce, and slot home a goal which was, admittedly, against the run of play.

The second half saw a brighter, and more recognisable Celtic take the field. Even so, it was the home side making all the running. Eventually, they got what the home fans thought was just rewards, when Greystone reached a Boyd corner to nod past the otherwise excellent Ingham.

The handful of travelling fans who had made it to Wincham Park cried in disbelief.

However, they need not have despaired, for Celtic got a corner within ten minutes of the kick-off. Scott's ball into the box was nodded on by Filson, but headed back out by West. However, it dropped to Pickford who struck a sweet volley in the top corner past a despairing Montgomery (in for the cup-tied Greygoose).

In the closing stages, it was Celtic who had the best chance, with Pickford again on the spot. Montgomery's poor clearance was met by the midfielder, who tried to loft the ball over the stranded keeper, only to see it sail narrowly wide.

A sticky win, and Witton will lament the missed chances.

The next round will see Celtic take on Hyde at Ewen fields in the new year.