Barrow weren’t the only Cumbrian side involved in a nine-goal thriller yesterday, as Cleator Moor Celtic shared a similar goal feast at St Helens.
Celtic emerged as 5-4 winners in the North West Counties Division One North clash to improve their chances of avoiding the clutches of the drop zone.
From 3-1 ahead at half-time, to trailing 4-3, the Cumbrians fought back and eventually won with a goal in the 77th minute.
“You don’t need games like that every week. Not good for the blood pressure,” said manager Martin Mahone. “But it was a great result and means we now have 12 Cup finals between now and the end of the season to make sure we stay up.
“They have been bottom of the League all season and we beat them comfortably at home but they have strengthened the squad and I think there was only one playing this time who was in the side at Cleator Moor.
“They had one player who was quick and very dangerous, who scored a hat-trick to change the game in their favour. But we fought back well and it was an excellent victory in the end.”
Callum Birdsall had headed Celtic in front on 16 minutes boot soon afterwards the hosts were level with the first of his hat-trick goals from Elliot Hughes.
Jack Hunter, who has scored some fine headed goals from corners this season, was on the mark again but this time he finished with a well-placed shot after a corner had broken to him.
Just before half-time top scorer Jay Wetherill added to his growing tally with Celtic’s third goal.
Within a minute of the restart Hughes had reduced the arrears for Saints and on 68 minutes he again found a way through for his third to put the teams level.
It looked as though Celtic had been undone when Colyfa Kamara gave St Helens the lead for the first time on 71 minutes but less than 60 seconds later Wetherill had pulled Celtic level.
Birdsall knocked one in from the edge of the area on 77 minutes and Celtic were able to see out the win in comfortable fashion.
They are due to travel to Holker Old Boys on Tuesday night in a re-arranged Cumbrian derby but their game at home to Chadderton on Saturday was off because of a waterlogged pitch.
“There’s more rain forecast so we might be off, which would leave us waiting for Saturday and a home game with a very good AFC Blackpool side who are chasing a play-off place,” said Mahone.
Celtic are 13th of 19 at the moment, six points above the relegation zone.
