Hello here is the match report from Kendal Celtics 3-2 win over Staveley. The match report was kindly sent to me by Kendal Celtic.

Last time out Celtic beat Kirkoswold, who were top of the league. Due to that victory, this weeks opponents took advantage and leap frogged Kirkoswold to top the division.

Yet again Celtic give up home advantage, with Staveley kindly hosting the match. Although the pitch is not perfect it is still a hundred times better than the Millennium Field. The game isn’t helped as there is a strong breeze and heavy showers, it also isn’t helped due to the referee turning up twenty minutes late and the kick-off being delayed.

The game kicks off and Staveley show their intent with some strong early tackles. The referee is certainly not taking any nonsense and is constantly stopping the game, often for minor infringements.

Staveley start the stronger team, but after quarter of an hour Celtic find their feet and start to knock the ball about.

Holding nearly opens the scoring with a ferocious shot, which beats Woods, but flies just wide.

Celtic make the break through. A free-kick out wide on the left is swung in by Woof, the ball appears to be over hit but Baldwin manages to head the ball back into the danger zone from beyond the back-post. The ball falls to Ashburn who taps the ball home past Woods, for s first senior goal for Celtic.

Celtic are now in control of the game, playing some superb passing football and playing at a quick tempo. Celtic come close to extending there lead through another Woof free-kick on the left flank, again the kick looks to be over hit but the ball dips over the helpless Woods and hits the bar.

With half time approaching Celtic get the second goal that they deserve. Ganley makes a great tackle and feeds Brewer who fires in a shot from fully 25yards out. The ball flies into the top corner…..probably goal of the season so far!

Half-time and Celtic lead 2-0. Staveley will have the advantage of the wind at their backs in the second half and will come out fighting. The message is clear, keep playing football and keep the ball on the deck.

Staveley do come out strong, but Celtic look comfortable. Baker has slotted in well at centre half alongside Martindale who seems to just get stronger.

Then Staveley are thrown a lifeline. Wilkinson picks the ball up 25 yards out and shoots. Somehow the ball goes under the diving Wicks (sure I have used that line before).

Just when Staveley are looking dangerous and getting back into the game, two Staveley players challenge Holding on the edge of their own box. The referee decides that Callum Thwaites’s challenge was too strong and shows the red card.

Holding yet again goes close to scoring when he hits a volley just wide of the Staveley goal.

Twenty minutes into the second half and Celtic put the game beyond Staveley. Baker finds Brewer who sends a long diagonal ball to Baldwin. Baldwin is forced out wide, but manages to find the back of the net from an acute angle.

Staveley are still not giving up though and keep putting Celtic under pressure. Cotton is mopping a lot of Staveley’s attacks with Holding and Ganley working tirelessly in midfield.

The referee appears to be helping Staveley get back into the game and Staveley manage to get another goal through Wilkinson, but this is six minutes into injury time!!!

Finally with seven minutes and forty-three seconds of injury time played the referee blows the final whistle. Quite amazing as there were no injuries in the game!!!

So again Celtic upset the team at the top of the league and run out 3-2 winners. Celtic are hitting a rich vein of form and this was probably the best performance this season.