Padiham provided a stiff test for James Kinsey’s men in Padiham's final pre-season match before their season starts.

Padiham opened the scoring with a decent move. Jack Price caused problems all game. Starting with a run and checkback, wrong footing Joe Bunney to create the space for a curling effort beyond the fingertips of Elliot Wynne. A few minutes later, a sweeping move gave a glimpse of what the team is capable of. Michael Brewster’s through ball for Jordan Burton to chase left Burton one-on-one with Harry Moss, curling the ball into the bottom corner. Celtic could have gone ahead, when Burton’s corner almost crept in. Moss flapped it away from Jono Hunt, but it fell to the feet of Ethan Padden. Only the agility of Moss denied Padden. Just past the half hour mark, a contentious penalty decision saw Gabriel Mooney-Munoz penalised for tripping an attacker at the edge of the box. Ben Haskin converted, restoring Padiham’s lead. Celtic almost regained parity when Jacques Etia latched onto Padden’s layoff, but a last ditch deflection sent his shot wide.

The second half saw few chances for either team. Price opened Celtic up again, this time evading a challenge and pulling the ball across the face of goal. Joel Brownhill came in and smashed home. Celtic’s only real chance saw John Pritchard’s cross met by Matty Bryan’s cushioned header, but it flashed narrowly wide to the relief of Moss.

Celtic from Elliot Wynne, Darius Smith, John Pritchard, Michael Brewster, Jono Hunt, Joe Bunney, Jacques Etia, Charlie Doyle, Ethan Padden, Gabriel Mooney-Munoz, Jordan Burton, Jake Kenny, Connor Leach, Matty Bryan, Oma Ibrahim, Alex Kiwomya, David Edwards.