Tuesday nights sees Celtic first foray into the National Conference Cup when Lancaster finally make their way to Bower Fold for the 7:45pm kick-off. In the time since the game was originally scheduled, the sponsors have pulled out and the name has been changed. The format remains the same, however, and a win would see us host Harrogate or Bradford.

With Saturday?s match cancelled due to a frozen pitch, it will have been ten days since Celtic played, whilst Lancaster were away only on Saturday to Kettering, getting an impressive win with two second half goals from Peter Thompson, whose tally now stands at seven goals in the league, putting him joint fifth in the league Golden boot chart, only two goals behind fellow team-mate Ryan Zico-Black.

Lancaster were one of the few Conference North teams to make it to the First Round proper of the FA Cup, and were only narrowly beaten by MK Dons. They booked their place in the first round after impressive wins over Scarborough and Kings Lynn. In other competitions, though, they are doing well, beating Matlock Town (in a replay) with a total of 6 goals to 5.

Lancaster do have an impressive goal per game ratio, scoring 1.75 goals per game, both home and away. It is their away form defence where they have been let down, conceding over 2 goals per game. Most of Lancaster?s goals come in the second half, with two thirds of their goals coming in this period, and nine in the last ten minutes. A good solid defensive performance is required by Celtic in the second period from whistle to whistle. Most of their conceding is done in the first hour, with only three goals conceded in the last thirty minutes, so Celtic?s penchant for leaving it late won?t cut the mustard against Lancaster.


One of the ex-Celtic faces that may well make an appearance.

With both teams having big games on Saturday in the Trophy (we host Whitby, whilst Lancaster face Bromsgrove Rovers), there will probably be an element of one eye on the weekend for both teams. Lancaster did field a weakened team against Skelmersdale last week, and the North West counties team put five past the makeshift Lancaster defence with only one in reply, so they are unlikely to repeat that mistake (they fielded a weakened team against us a few years back, and we put 11 past them?).

Defender Matt Hollis is the only doubt for Lancaster, and they are likely to line up as follows:
1. Jamie Speare
2. Martin Clark
3. Andy Scott
4. Paul Sparrow
5. Joe McMahon
6. Danny Stone
7. Gary Bauress
8. Steve Jones
9. Ryan Zico-Black
10. Ryan Yeomans
11. Neil Prince

Celtic will probably field new signing Lee Connor, and with the injury to Phil Eastwood still ongoing, Paul Sykes will more than likely take up the number 9 shirt again. As with the Cheshire Senior Cup game, Dean Calcutt will probably play most if not all of the ninety minutes as his match fitness is got back, and Steve Smith will probably balance him out again. Chris Denham, Gregg Pearce, Craig Dootson are all part of the long term injury program, whilst Tony Whealing's been ill recently, but may make the bench, and Nathan Wharton is up for membership of the long term injury list, though should be back in a couple of weeks.

1. Phil Robinson
2. Dave German
3. Danny Caldecott
4. Lee Connor
5. Barrie Keeling
6. Scott Bonsall
7. Dean Calcutt
8. Kev Parr
9. Paul Sykes
10. Andy Hayward
11. Steve Smith

Whilst cup competitions are a distraction from the league, it is important that Celtic get into a winning habit. Whatever happens, though, there will be a result on the night, as there are no replays in this competition. Now it?s just a question of whether or not the pitch will withstand it.