Telford 2 Stalybridge Celtic 0 - Report and pictures

Two goals in the first half hour sealed the win for the Bucks, who also held out from predicted aerial bomabrdment to keep a clean sheet.

An early penalty saw the Bucks take a surprise lead.

The referee pointed to the spot kick for a relative soft foul, after John Shaw pushed Dave Hibbert in the back in Celtic's box.

Regular penalty taker Sean Clancy stepped up and slotted the ball home to the far right of the goal.

The Bucks were 2-0 up after a counter attack from a Celtic free kick.

Connor McCarthy was sent darting down the left wing with a through ball before crossing into the box. The ball eventually found Hibbert who finished coolly.

The Bucks dropped back a bit deeper towards the end of the first half and the game slowed.

This continued in the second half, where Celtic's aerial bombardment that Rob Smith had predicted was cranked up a notch.

The Bucks back line however were well organsied and defended the long balls effectively, sealing a well-deserved win.

Telford started the first half brightly.

Connor McCarthy could have put the Bucks 1-0 within minutes after a loose ball found its way over the top of the Celtic defence.

The ball fell in front of his feet from around six yards but he could only fire wide past the left post.

The home side soon took an early lead though and that miss was forgotten.

A push in the back in the box from Celtic defender John Shaw on Hibbert saw the referee point to the spot.

Telford were rather lucky to have been awarded the decision

Sean Clancy stepped up coolly as always and slotted the ball in the bottom left.

Telford continued their positive start to the half with attacking play that had purpose.

Before the game Rob Smith had said his side were expecting an aerial bombardment from Liam Watson's team.

And that is what they faced as the Celtic defence and midfield lofted the ball up field to the visitor's attackers and wingers.

But Telford's back line dealt with the aerial play, just like Rob Smith had said before the game that his side were prepared for.

They then counterred the long play which brought their second goal.

Celtic's free kick saw one player lay the ball off with a short pass for another, but the tactic was foiled as Hutchison intercepted it, and sent McCarthy flying down the wing with a through ball.

The forward put in a low cross into the box, and a few exchanges from the Telford players saw a chance fall to Hibbert.

The number nine then coolly slotted the ball into the bottom right but McMillan in goal could have done better with the save.

Telford played a bit deeper in the final ten minutes of the first half, and dropped off the pace a little.

However they remained organised and saw off the dangers, particularly the aerial threat, of Celtic.

This continued into the second half with Telford playing deeper.

Celtic were launching a lot more long balls into the box but the Telford defence saw off any danger successfully each time.

The win still leaves Telford bottom of the Vanarama National North but will surely be a morale boost as Rob Smith's rebuilding of the squad continues.