Celtic stepped into the top four with a hard fought win at Trafford.

The first half saw the two sides largely cancel each other out, neither side creating much in front of goal. Former Celtic striker, Rio Clegg got the first half-chance from a corner, forcing Charlie Monks, whilst Joe Duckworth repeated the feat at the other end, also from a corner, with Sam Booth spilling the ball, but Lewis Rawsthorn unable to reach the loose ball. Jack Irlam got power but no direction on his header from a corner. A free kick for Trafford saw Kevin Spinelli get a tight angle for a shot, hitting the bar, whilst Rawthorn forced a decent stop from Booth.

Trafford rocketed out of the blocks for the second period, breaking during Celtic pressing, Spinelli leaving the Celtic team trailing. Kyle Brownhill got back, but a simple ball across the face to Rio Clegg unmarked arriving at the back post gave the Trafford top scorer an open goal and the opening goal. Almost an instant reply from Rawsthorn, Booth again spilling the ball. Duckworth pounced, but Booth smothered at his feet. Duckworth wouldn’t be denied, and Jordan Butterworth’s lifted ball to him, putting him through one on one, Duckworth lobbing Booth to equalise. Two minutes later and Booth had to deny Duckworth pouncing again. However, when Jordan Butterworth fired in a free kick, Jack Tinning watched it all the way to the back post, planting his header into the net and putting Celtic into the lead.

Another two minutes later and Irlam for the second match running had a goal incorrectly not given, this time, the ball crossing the line but after Harry Norris cleared the ball, the decision was no goal. This left Celtic defending for the last half an hour, which they did magnificently, unlike against Avro, lifting Celtic into fourth.