On Tuesday Celtic travel across to Clitheroe. Clitheroe are currently twelfth on thirteen points, seven places and six points behind Celtic, with a game in hand. Kick-off 7:45pm.

Clitheroe had an excellent start to the season with two wins and a draw lifting them to top spot. Two wins in the last six with four losses has seen them drop to mid-table. Their last two wins, away at Bootle and at home to Newcastle were both 1-0, as was their opening win away at Shifnal, whilst their last losses have seen them ship nine goals with two in reply. At home, Clitheroe have gone on to win any game they’re not losing at half time, so finishing the first half in the lead is a good indicator for a win.

Clitheroe have never won by more than one goal, and have conceded three more goals than Celtic, whilst scoring fewer than half of Celtic’s goals. Three different scorers have found the net twice in the league, with four players on one-apiece. On average, they score 1.8 goals per game at home (1.2 overall) whilst conceding 2.2 goals per home game (1.7 overall). They have kept one of their four clean sheets at home, but have scored in every home game this season.

Celtic have good results against Clitheroe, although the last visit there last season finished 1-1, with Jack Irlam getting an injury time equaliser, our previous league visit saw us win 1-0 with Jordan Burton grabbing the game’s only goal. In the return visits, Celtic won the last match at Bower Fold 1-0 (Joe Duckworth), while the two teams drew the season before.

In Clitheroe’s last match, their 2-5 home defeat by Vauxhall Motors, Clitheroe lined up as:
1. James McClenaghan
2. Jacob Hanson
3. Dylan Dwyer
4. Samuel Olawumi
5. Jake Carroll
6. Brad Ditch
7. Leon Creech
8. Danny Wilkins
9. Joshua Briggs
10. Vernon Parny
11. Lewis Trickett

In Celtic’s last match, the 0-1 away defeat to Shifnal Town, Celtic lined up as: 1. Connot Harte
2. Charlie Doyle
3. Kyle Brownhill
4. Jordan Butterworth
5. Jack Byrne
6. Brandon Newall
7. Andy Scarisbrick
8. Liam Tongue
9. Tunde Owolabi
10. Benni Smales-Braithwaite
11. Max Leonard

Celtic’s makeshift team may have to continue for a little while longer, with Mike Koral, Jack Tinning, Charlie Monks, Jack Irlam and Ruben Jerome all missing the last match through injury.

Celtic are two points behind league leaders Avro, clinging into the top five on goal difference. Avro are away at Witton, Lower Breck hosting Trafford, Bury host Wythenshawe and Chasetown are away at Nantwich. It is feasible for Celtic to go top, but unlikely. Vauxhall (away at Congleton) and Atherton (away at Bootle) are all within overtaking distance of Celtic, so Celtic could end the day anywhere between top and seventh.