On Saturday, Celtic face Hednesford Town at Bower Fold. Hednesford are currently fifteenth in the table on five points, nine places and three points behind Celtic. Kick off 3pm.

So far this season, Hednesford have won one, drawn to and lost two. Their most recent away game saw them lose 5-1 at Widnes, with their only win coming away at Newcastle Town in a game they won 1-0. They’ve yet to win at home, with their most recent game a 1-1 draw with Chasetown on Bank Holiday Monday. Although they have scored in every match, they left it late in their most recent away match, scoring a consolation. In total, Hednesford have scored six goals, with five different scorers. They have kept one clean sheet at home, but only Vauxhall Motors have conceded more this season, with Hednesford conceding ten, with half of those in their last away match.

In the past 30 years, Celtic have met Hednesford eighteen times. Hednesford are edging the results, with ten wins to Celtic’s five. In the past five visits, since 2015, Hednesford have not won at Bower Fold, with Celtic winning two and drawing one. Their last visit was a 1-0 win for Celtic, with Scott Bakkor the scorer. Prior to that, they drew 2-2, after Matty Wolfenden pulled Celtic level and then in front during a three-minute mad spell. However, thorn in Celtic’s side at the time, Tom Thorley equalised in stoppage time. The last meeting between the two teams was at Keys Park, which Hednesford won 1-0.

In Hednesford’s last match, the 1-1 home draw with Chasetown, Hednesford lined up as:
1. Jack Richards
2. Callam Mendez-Jones
3. Jack Kelly
4. Desean Martin
5. Sam Paddock
6. Sam Griffiths
7. Jack Sang
8. Jacob Gwilt
9. Rivel Mardenborough
10. Star Mayemba
11. Max Dixon

In Celtic’s last match, the 3-2 away loss away at Avro, Celtic lined up as:
1. Luke Hewitson
2. Jake Kenny
3. Lucas Cook
4. Brandon Newell
5. Connor O’Grady
6. Greg Wilkinson
7. Brad Byrne
8. Michael Brewster
9. Obua Mugalula
10. Max Harrop
11. Aaron Dwyer

A good result for Celtic could put us third. We cannot get second, as Avro (3rd) and Chasetown (2nd) are playing each other. A loss could drop us several places, with the league still tight at these early stages. Celtic’s new signing, striker Max Leonard, is available to start.