Cleator Moor Celtic were back to winning ways in the West Lancashire League when they came back from Rossendale with a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
Dene White and Stuart Shaw had stepped-up from the reserves to run the first team following Brian Dawson’s decision to quit after Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat to Whitehaven.
That had been Celtic’s third defeat in a row, following two wins to start the season, and the return to winning ways has been a huge morale booster.
Coach Shaw said: “Every single one of them were magnificent, they ran themselves into the ground putting bodies on the line and as soon as the final whistle sounded the reaction from everyone made it clear what it meant to play for Cleator Moor Celtic.
“It’s a massive lift for everybody around the club, the players especially and they can take that forward into the game next week at home to Wyre Villa.”
Celtic had gone ahead on 32 minutes from a well-worked goal, stemming from winning individual battles and redacting to second balls.
Luke Close was alive to a break with the ball before slipping-in James Bell down the right channel. He took one touch before firing into the far corner.
The belief that gave the west Cumbrians ahead of the second half was massive but they had to soak up a lot of pressure in the first 15 minutes.
Then a delightful delivery from a Tom Ward corner, which was whipped into the back post, ended with Adam Smith heading into the back of the net.
The last 20 minutes saw Rossendale throw the kitchen sink at the Hoops and reduced the arrears after 80 minutes with a goal from Steve Howson when his free kick found a way through a crowded area without anyone getting a touch.
Celtic had to dig very deep to hang onto their lead and there were particularly big performances from Ethan Smith and Callum Jackman.
