Stalybridge v Blackburn Rovers XI

OK so I went - well wife's away so Smiffy will play (young boy txtd "Already eaten" - other two old enough to sort themselves out !)

Only about 10 mins late - very quiet therefore thought "missed nowt" - then Blackburn scored and someone said "Bloody Hell that's 3-0" - yikes not one but TWO goal missed in the first 10 minutes !

Weather was sh*te too.

They might have been a youngish Blackburn side - but they certainly played together as a team (and had been doing for a while - quick, sharp in and they knew where there were) and made Celtic look less than ordinary in the rest of the first 45 minutes.

Slippped out to the "Hare & Hounds" at half-time (you've gotta know how !) - only simple Thwaites - waiting for the season to start before the guest beers return apparently.

Second half was a much improved performance by Celtic - much tighter at the back and a bit more punch up front which culminated in an excellent goal from one of the two number 14's on the pitch (Platt) - good move with plenty of "one-touch" stuff.

Linesmen had green shirts on - one with a number 11 and one with a number 13 - strange or what ??

Left ground 2114 - arrived Stalybridge Buffet Bar approx 2131 (it's all downhill) - Cottage Brewery "Mayfly" was the quickie before the 2141 home to Mossley.

Tomorrow night sees Mossley play an Oldham Athletic XI - as the Coca Cola Championship has already started I might well see the "Latics Programme Sellers XI" - although they could include their two red carded players from Saturday as punishment !