A great first half performance enabled Trawden Celtic to overcome Barnoldswick Town and stay at the top of the Warburtons’ League.
Celtic were hanging on at the end after a spirited fight back by Town almost caused an upset, but Trawden should have been out of sight by then if they’d have taken their chances.
The first half saw Celtic play their best football of the season on the biggest pitch in the league, and totally dominate a Barnoldswick Town side who had one shot on target all half.
Defender Calvin Anslow almost scored after 10 minutes when he went up for a corner, but his shot was blocked by a Town defender.
Captain Callum Whitfield opened the scoring in the 16th minute. A great pass from man-of-the-match Liam Britton found Richard Dixon on the left wing. He pulled the ball back to the edge of the box for Callum to blast the ball into the back of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
It was 2-0 two minutes later. A great, swerving 20-yard left foot effort from Liam Britton deceived the ‘keeper who could only parry the ball over the line.
It was all Celtic, who created at least another half a dozen chances but failed to take them to leave the score, Trawden 2, Barnoldswick 0, at half-time.
Celtic should have made it 3-0 directly from the kick off in the second half. A great cross from Richard Dixon found Ollie Slater in space, but he put his shot over the bar. That would have killed Town off, but to their credit they started to come back into the game.
The majority of the second period was played in Trawden’s half, with Celtic having to rely on breakaways as Barnoldswick tried to get back into the game. Although they applied a lot of pressure, Town were struggling to create any decent chances with Celtic's defence looking solid.
However, with ten minutes to go, a mix up led to Barnoldswick pulling a goal back. Carl Pain and Calvin Anslow left the ball to each other and the town striker nipped in to calmly place the ball past Ben Gorman.
This was the first time in the game that Celtic had looked uncomfortable. Could those missed chances come back to haunt them?
Fortunately, that was the end of the scoring as Town tried desperately to find an equaliser that really would have been harsh on Trawden.
Celtic stay top of the league with a crucial game against Brierfield Celtic coming up in two weeks time, while their closest rivals, Brunlea and Borrowdale have to play each other twice after Easter. It should make an interesting finale!
