Celtic victorious in first game of 2024

Stalybridge Celtic got back to winning ways after their derby day defeat with an emphatic 4-0 win away to Bootle on Saturday, (January 6).

It only took Celtic 13 minutes to break the deadlock, with Aaron Dwyer firing the ball into the bottom left corner from just outside the area to give his side the lead.

Things would get even worse for Bootle after the half-hour mark when the home side were reduced to ten men after Jay Roberts was given his marching orders.

Celtic were then awarded with an opportunity to double their lead on 43 minutes when Darius Palma was brought down inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Palma, who made no mistake with the finish, slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to double his side's advantage.

Moments later, Celtic added a third in first-half stoppage time, with Jack Tinning rising the highest at the back post to nod home Cole Lonsdale’s corner from no less than three yards out.

Despite finding the net on three occasions in the first half, James Kinsey’s men didn’t find it quite as easy to do so in the second, with Bootle goalkeeper Tony Thompson making a number of saves to deny Celtic a fourth.

The shot-stopper was involved twice in quick succession, firstly to deny Palma his second of the afternoon by tipping his effort onto the crossbar, before another smart save prevented Obua Mugalula from getting on the scoresheet.

Celtic did however manage to find that elusive fourth goal six minutes from time when Aaron Dwyer doubled his tally for the afternoon, finishing off a fantastic move by slotting the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper and putting the icing on the cake.

The late strike takes Dwyer’s goal tally up to 15 for the season, a quite staggering return for the winger who has been worth his weight in gold this campaign.

The win sees Celtic sit 4^th in the Northern Premier League West Table, ahead of their home match against Clitheroe on Saturday (January 13).