Celts downed by Curzon

Pre-Season Friendly: Stalybridge Celtic 1-2 Curzon Ashton

Celtic suffered a narrow defeat against Curzon Ashton as Jack Ryan scored on his debut before a stunner from Jack Dunn won it for the visitors.

The hosts got off to a great start with Celtic’s number nine finding the back of the net inside the first 60 seconds.

Scott Bakkor, who put in a super performance intercepted a loose pass from the Curzon defence, he raced down towards goal and Celtic found themselves in a two vs one situation, Scott unselfishly squared the ball for Ryan to slot home with less than one minute on the clock.

Bakkor continued to be a threat and he thought he had put Celtic two up on 20 minutes. A high ball caught a Curzon defender off guard, his hesitancy allowed Bakkor to challenge for the ball, Scott won the tussle and put the ball past Chris Renshaw however the referee saw different and said Bakkor had fouled his man.

The away side equalised on 36 minutes as Trialist No.7 sent a header past Grant Shenton. 

Ryan saw an attempt saved by Renshaw just before the break with the two sides cancelling each other in the first 45.

Celtic introduced Keano Deacon at the break as they looked to score a second. A corner from Stephen Brogan caused chaos in the Curzon box and it was nearly an own goal as the ball cannoned off a defender before being hacked off the line.


However it was The Nash that found the breakthrough and it was in some style.

On 65 minutes, former Warrington Town forward Dunn found space around 30 yards from goal, he absolutely blasted it towards goal and his powerful effort went into the top left corner. A fantastic strike that Celtic could not do anything about.

Loan Evans saw a volley from an Ashley Smith-Brown cross saved, Bakkor saw an effort deflect wide and Connor O’Grady forced Renshaw into a cracking reaction save to deny Celtic again. 

Dunn’s goal was superb, but it was nearly bettered by Celtic’s Bakkor. From over 30 yards away from goal, the ball bounced for Celtic’s forward, he then sent a dipping shot towards goal, Renshaw was beaten but Scott’s effort smacked off the post to deny what would have been a wonder goal. 

Curzon finished the game as winners in what was another good workout for Celtic.

Celtic are next in action on Tuesday 29th July, as Manchester United Under 23’s visit Bower Fold, to commemorate former player Bert Whalley.

A ceremony will take place at 6pm with the unveiling of a plaque before the fixture commences at 7.45pm.

Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate.

Stalybridge Celtic: Shenton, Smith-Brown, Brogan, O’Grady, Evans, O’Halloran, Hughes, Wedgbury, Ryan, Bakkor, Harris.

Subs: Quansah, Deacon (’45), Burton, (’77), Awe (’60), Padden, Barlow, Trialist, Nuttall.