What a weekend for Celtic under 10s at the Stalybridge Juniors Tournament. On Saturday, they stormed through the group stage of the under 11s competition, before meeting Stalybrige's very own under 11s in the final. Having beaten them once already, it was sure to be a close game, but after a long day the older lads strength told and they came out deserved 2-0 winners. But the lads attracted numerous complimentary comments from those watching on the sidelines and were a credit to themselves, performing so well all day against bigger and stronger players.   On Sunday both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams took to the field at Bower Fold and ended up meeting each other in the Final! The 'B' team defeated group winners, Cheshire Boys, 2-0 in the semi-final, playing them off the park in the process and not even allowing their opponents a shot on goal. Meanwhile, the A team competed in... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Celtic under 10s claimed the East Manchester League Cup with a narrow 2-1 victory over Failsworth Dynamos at Hyde FC this morning. Competing in their fourth cup final in four seasons, the lads added to last years Primary Cup success to end another superb season in style. After finishing third in the league, they were determined not to let the opportunity of more silverware slip away. The 'B' team got things under away and although they took the first five minutes to get in to their stride they soon took control of the game. Skipper, Kai, put Celtic in front stabbing in a corner from Nathan, who in turn made it 2-0 before the break following up when the keeper spilled the ball after good work by Keenan and Bomber. Luke looked very solid in goal, as did the two defenders in front of him, Lewis and Callum. Keenan and Nathan were both very lively down the wings, while Kai provided the cool head in the centre of midfield. Bomber and then Elliot provided the energy up ... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10s completed a well earned double over their upcoming cup final opponents, Failsworth Dynamos, in their penultimate league game of the season on Saturday. The 'B' team looked rather sluggish during the first half, allowing Failsworth to control the game and take the lead. But the growing influence of Brad in midfield and the work rate and commitment of Bomber up front began to turn the tide as the game progressed. However, with so little for the Dynamos keeper to do, perhaps he was suprised when Bomber lashed in a low shot from 20 yards with just a quarter of the game to go. It certainly changed the momentum of the match and Bomber's desire to chase what looked like a lost cause brought a second and the winner when his shot from a tight angle defelcted in off a defender. A great end to the game, but the lads can't afford to wait 30 minutes to start to play in the cup final. Bomber won the man of the match award for his hard working committed display and t... Read the rest of this article...

Although there's still two league games and a cup final to look forward to, Celtic under 10s began their preparations for next season, and the move to 11-a-side football, with a friendly against Dukinfield Youth on Saturday at the Soccer School. It was certainly nice to be 'home' after four years of playing centred football, although having to put the nets up again might take some getting used to. However, thanks to those parents who helped out and fair warning, we might need to produce a rota for next year! After just one practice match against each other, the lads certainly picked up the different shape and system required from the normal 7-a-side they play quickly. No humping long balls, no panic in defence, just neat passing football on a surface that's also different to what they're used to, but a really good sign ahead of next year. Bomber started off the goalscoring, diverting a shot into the net, before Kai headed in Henry's pinpoint corner to... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10s picked up three points on Saturday morning as they faced their forthcoming Cup Final opponents, Failsworth Dynamos, for the first of three meetings in the next 6 weeks. The 'B' team had the better of the opening encounter and looked the stronger team, but failed to make Failsworth pay in the first half. However, straight from the second half re-start they scored what was probably the goal of the season. Nine passes later Keenan picked out Bomber who swept the ball home to score a goal that would have had Barcelona supporters drooling. Unfotunately, the lads didn't learn that pass and move was the best way to defeat a stubborn Dynamos side and couldn't capitalize on their advantage. Luke made a tremndous clearance coming out of his area and taking the ball, the man and everything else in his way to deny them, but they  soon levelled and that's how the game stayed. Lewis won the man of the match award, despite not finishing the game due to a stomac... Read the rest of this article...

After the highs of last week to the lows of this, as Celtic under 10s produced two performances against Dukinfield Greens that were in complete contrast to their superb displays against Curzon Ashton seven days earlier. The 'B' team never got going and created little in attack. Bomber fired wide in the first half and Keenan's effort was superbly blocked in the second, but there were few clear cut chances inbetween. Dukinfield looked the hungrier, picking up the second balls all the time and deserved their victory. FINAL SCORE: CELTIC 0 DUKINFIELD 3 The 'A' team also disappointed in the first half, going 2-0 behind, failing to find any sort of fluency and allowing two soft goals. However, the second half was much improved and on another day they would have got something from the game as 3 or 4 chances went begging. They did get one back with 3 minutes to go when Henry's low corner was missed by those at the near post, but defelcted in off a defender at the back t... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10s completed a scintillating double on Saturday morning to reclaim second place in the table, with both the 'A' and 'B' teams defeating rivals Curzon Ashton, a team who'd previously only lost two league games all season, with some superb football. The 'B' team started on the back foot as Curzon poured forward, but after weathering the intial couple of minutes they gradually found their feet and then dominated the game. Callum and Nathan provided a solid foundation at the back that allowed Macca, Kai and Keenan to get forward to support the lively Bomber in attack. Bridge took the lead when Callum's ball forward bounced over the head of the defender and Bomber, quick as a flash, got in behind and held him off before finishing in style. Celtic continued to play most of the game in the Curzon half but once again couldn't find the killer instinct. The match was level when a speculative long range shot found the top of the net above Luke's ... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10's collected four points on Saturday morning as both the 'A' and 'B' teams defeated 3D Dynamos. The 'B' team produced another excellent performance with everyone showing both skill and energy. Kai, back from injury, put Bridge in front with a tap in following Keenan's corner and it should have been 2-0 soon after when the referee failed to spot the ball had rolled over the line from Bomber's shot. More chances followed either side of the break, but despite being completely dominant Celtic failed to extend the lead. That proved costly as 3D got back on level terms, although again it was controversial as Nathan was pushed in the back as he was about to clear and the ball ricoched past Luke in goal. However, Bridge again took control and thoroughly deserved to get back in front when Keenan's fine strike was parried and Bomber was on hand to poke the ball home. The fact that 3D's keeper won their man of the match award proved how on top the lads wer... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10s had a mixed day against West End Boys Club in the East Manchester First Division, winning one and losing the other to effectively end their chances of claiming the league title. It took the 'B' team the first half to really get going before stamping their authority on the game. There was plenty of early pressure and the fourth cormer of the match gave Celtic the lead. Nathan whipped it in and a deflection off a defender left the ball nestling in the net. Elliot doubled the advantage straight after the break, pouncing on a goalkeeping mistake, but West End immediately responded from a corner. However, within a minute, Bridge's two goal advantage was restored with a fine left footed strike by Tom. Nathan added a fourth with another clean strike and his corner was then helped in to the net for a fifth to complete a comfortable victory. Again the win was forged on solid defending and Rhylee picked up the man of the match award for an assured display.... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 10's booked their place in the East Manchester First Division Cup Final in May with a 6-3 aggregate defeat of Stockport Junior Blues and in doing so reached their fourth cup final in four successive seasons. In a competition where the aggregates of the 'A' and 'B' team results decide the winners, the tie was effectively over after the first half of the first game as the 'B' team established a 5-0 lead in a sensational display. Truly dominant throughout, they picked off their opponents and finished their chances in fine style, with two goals from Elliot and one each for Tom, Bomber and man of the match, Kai. The football on display was a real joy to watch as the lads made it one defeat in 11 games since their 5-1 defeat at the hands of yesterday's opponents. Unsurprisingly, Stockport came out fired up for the second half, but as Celtic changed things round a bit, they more than maintained their grip on the game with Travis going clos... Read the rest of this article...