On bank holiday Monday, Celtic make the short hop to Oldham to face Avro. Avro a`re currently sixth in the league, one point and three places behind Celtic. Kick-off is 3pm.

Avro got promotion into the league after finishing second in the Northwest Counties league behind Vauxhall Motors. They beat Lincoln United from the United Counties Premier League in a play-off final held in Lincoln, winning 2-1. In the league, they won twenty-seven, drew six and lost nine. They scored seventy-five and conceded thirty-one. They had the meanest defence in the league last season.

This season, they started well, with a home win over Nantwich and an away win over Prescot, both finishing 1-0 to Avro. However, a home loss to City of Liverpool, losing 1-0. Their most recent game saw them draw 2-2 away at Witton, equalising with a late goal. So far, they have scored four and conceded three. Avro have kept two clean sheets, including one at home, but they have also failed to score in their last home match. Liam Ellis has scored two in four appearances. Three if including the 2-0 FA cup win away at Emley.

In Avro’s last match, the 2-2 away draw with Witton, Avro lined up as:
1. Grant Shenton
2. Matthew Crothers
3. Max Davidson
4. Jack Morrow
5. Deane Smalley
6. Geffry Ebhote
7. Jake Cottrell
8. Jamie Rother
9. Liam Ellis
10. Max McCarthy
11. Connor Berry

In Celtic’s last match, the 1-1 home draw with Bootle, Celtic lined up as:
1. Luke Hewitson
2. Jake Kenny
3. Lucas Cook
4. Brandon Newell
5. Connor O’Grady
6. Greg Wilkinson
7. Aaron Dwyer
8. Michael Brewster
9. Obua Mugalula
10. Max Harrop
11. Jordan Burton

Having never met Avro, they are an unknown quantity. They do however, have a familiar face in Grant Shenton, with Shents being Celtic’s keeper between 2016 and 2022. Kidsgrove are running away with the league in these early stages, so Celtic could go second with a win. We could also drop several places with a loss.