Recent signing Matty Reid earned high praise from Cleator Moor Celtic manager Martin Mahone after a vital home win.
A 5-3 victory over Nelson lifted Celtic off the bottom of the North West Counties League’s First Division with Reid putting in an outstanding performance.
Mahone said: “He’s been a great signing for us and has been such a big personality in the dressing room. His talking and direction on the field is first class.
“He’s a big pal of Jordan Little since when they played together at Penrith and that was why he has come to play for us.
“We are desperate to get out of relegation trouble and Matty will have a big part to play in that for us.”
Celtic were never behind, although after Nelson had levelled at 1-1, it looked all over when the hosts raced into a 4-1lead.
“We were always in control, but they came back to 4-3 to give us a few nerves but we got a fifth late on to make certain,” said Mahone.
In-form Jay Wetherill (2), Callum Birdsall (2) and Little were the Celtic scorers.
Celtic now face two long trips in the League and FA Vase as they travel on Tuesday to third-in-the-table Golcar in Huddersfield and on Saturday are in knock-out action on Humberside against Barton.
“I hope we can put out a competitive side for these two games because that is the key for us. I know that if we can get our best team out, or certainly a strong team each week, we are more than capable of holding our own,” said Mahone.
