Last updated at 10:20, Thursday, 18 March 2010

CLEATOR Moor Celtic booked their place in the Monkwearmouth Final with a 3-1 victory over Wolviston.

 After a fine Gary George through ball Robert Fowler was upended on the edge of the Wolviston penalty area. Leigh Dunn stepped up to curl the ball high into the top corner of the visitors’ net.

Wolviston countered quickly and centre forward Guy Whatmore forced a super save from keeper Craig Devine. Devine’s parried stop rolled towards the Celtic goal and it seemed to take an age for the stopper to get to his feet and dive onto the ball before the onrushing Wolvo forward.

Celtic, battling a strong wind, did well to keep the lead until half time. The centre back pairing of the two Craigs, Corkhill and Scott, did well to handle the aerial threat of Whatmore after wide man Mike Arther delivered a number of super crosses.

The second half started well for the hoops but, on a Wolviston counter attack, Scott found himself out of position. In his attempts to rectify the problem he brought down a Wolviston front man to concede a free kick just outside the box.

To the surprise of most, referee Shane Sugden showed Scott the red card, explaining that he was the last defender. Celtic reorganised their set up, and midfielder Darren Johnston moved into central defence and he went on to have a superb game alongside the reliable Corkhill.

Using their numerical advantage Wolviston had a lot of possession,but rarely threatened the Celtic goal. When they did they found Devine in fine form.

Celtic then doubled their lead. George released Chris Thornton who went on to outpace the Wolviston defence and then cooly lift the ball over their opponents’ keeper.

With the lightning quick Thornton in the team, Celtic were always going to be effective on the counter attack and five minutes later he went on to increase the lead with a carbon copy goal of his first, this time being released by wide man Glynn Edwards.

Wolviston scored a late consolation goal but it is Celtic who go into the final to face Ryhope. But first this Saturday, they are at home to Silksworth, ko 2pm.

Wearside League: Guisborough 2, Cleator Moor Celtic 4

CELTIC made the midweek trip to Guisborough, jumped off the bus at 7.25 and were instructed by the referee that the game would kick off at 7.30 prompt.

With little or no warm-up, Celtic found themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes but gradually the hoops found their feet, enjoyed the bulk of possession, and had a number of chances to reduce the deficit.

On 43 minutes Gary George sent in a corner for Robert Fowler to head home from five yards and there was still enough time for the Celts to force another corner from which Gareth Evans fired home to equalise.

After the break Celtic continued to dominate and it was no surprise when Craig Scott scored smartly from the edge of the area. Celtic then had a goal disallowed after a Guisborough defend-er headed into his own goal from a Leigh Dunn corner.

The game was then wrapped up when Evans scored his second after 80 minutes after good work by the game’s best player Barrie Fowler.

For further details visit  www.cleatormoorceltic.co.uk

First published at 15:46, Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk