Cleator Moor Celtic had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their West Lancashire League clash at Tempest – after twice holding the lead.
The west Cumbrians had found the Bolton side’s cramped pitch not conducive to their normal style of play, but the work rate was phenomenal and they were the better side for the most part.
They had taken the lead after a run down the left from Ben McCarron and his dangerous cross eventually found Luke Close who finished cleverly from the edge of the area.
Trailing 1-0 at the break Tempest started the second-half well and were on level terms after 57 minutes. A free kick from the right saw Tom Booth get there ahead of keeper Scott Paden-Gale to head the equaliser.
Celtic responded well and within four minutes had regained the lead. Good play out wide by James Bell ended with a cross which hit the keeper and looped to McCarron who headed home.
But Celtic started to concede needless free-kicks in dangerous areas and inevitably Tempest scored. On 70 minutes Sam Parkinson whipped one over the Celtic wall and beyond Paden-Gale.
In the last 10 minutes both teams had opportunities to win it but couldn’t make them tell. McCarron and Adam Smith were closest for Celtic while Paden-Gale had to make a great double save to keep his side on terms.
Celtic are ninth in the table, two points and two places better off than Tempest, but have the opportunity to make progress on Saturday when they entertain Turton, who have won and lost eight so far.
- Whitehaven slipped up again after losing 4-2 at home to Blackpool Wren Rovers they went down 3-1 at Lostock St Gerard’s with Carl Denvir scoring their goal after they had gone three behind.
Two points behind Celtic they entertain Burscough Richmond on Saturday with the visitors five points better off in the table.
