THE sun had his hat on in downtown Atherton but the fayre served up didn’t quite match the balmy March weather.
Both teams were looking over their shoulders desperate not to be pulled into the relegation fight and this ensured a cagey affair throughout. The beers flowed on the terraces but the goals did not.
The only goal of game came just before the half hour mark. Colls custodian Danny Taberner and Celtic no 9 Raul Correia had a coming together in the penalty box.
It was six of one and half a dozen of the other but whistle-blower Marshall adjudicated in the favour of the visitors. Perhaps, they had a more plausible penalty appeal turned down minutes before and this was a factor in the decision.
Correia didn’t care as he dusted himself down to send Taberner the wrong way. He also scored the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture in early January.
The teams continued to cancel each other out after the interval and clearcut chances were scarce.
Jake Burton has a goalbound effort expertly diverted to safety by Taberner and the black n white stripes best attempt was a long distance sortie from Zack Clarke which was gobbled up by with ease by the Celtic glovesman, Grant Shenton.
To sum up, the visitors edged proceedings and deserved to take maximum points to Tameside.
Their relegation fears were alleyed greatly especially given the negative results of many of the sides around them.
Brad Cooke’s charges will continue putting in the hard yakka and surely will catch a break sooner rather than later.
On Saturday Colls visit FC United hoping to complete a league double.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here