A solid second half performance ensured Celtic’s domination in this hard fought local “derby”.
Colne Clarets more than matched Trawden for effort and commitment in a tight first half, without really causing any problems, but Celtic found it difficult to break them down.
Just when it looked like it would be a stalemate at half-time, James Brookes raced on to a great ball through the Clarets’ defence to slot the ball past the keeper and into the corner of the net for a cool finish.
So Trawden led 1-0 at the interval, but manager Dave Whitfield replaced striker Phil Shaw with Ollie Slater, and moved Carl Pain to his usual right-back position with Iain Ross moving up to the right wing.
The changes immediately took effect, and with five minutes of the second half gone, Ollie Slater tucked the ball away to make it 2-0.
It was all one-way traffic now and the Clarets’ defence was working overtime. Spencer Jordan then made it 3-0 for Celtic and everyone expected a goal feast.
However, some resolute defending by Colne, with Celtic old boy Simon Lewis playing a pivotal role, and some wayward finishing by the Trawden players, the score line remained at 3-0.
After keeping his first clean sheet of the season, Celtic ‘keeper Calvin Anslow now faces five weeks out after being sent off earlier in the season, so Trawden will have to reorganise with some interesting matches to come.
Celtic remain unbeaten in the league and this hard fought win takes them into 2nd place, 7 points behind leaders Brierfield Celtic, but with 5 games in hand.
Man of the Match was James Brookes
