New Year's Day football round-up: Shakers hit Celtic for six

It was a miserable start to the new year for Stalybridge Celtic as visitors Bury ran riot at Bower Fold, running out as 6-2 winners on New Year’s Day. 

Despite creating numerous opportunities of their own, hosts Celtic found themselves 4-0 down after just 27 minutes, and were left with a mountain to climb. 

The Shakers wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game, with Kai Evans arrowing a free kick into the top left corner to put his side ahead with just two minutes on the clock. 

Two guilt edged chances then went begging for the home side, with Ruben Jerome seeing his effort cleared off the line before Andy Scarisbrick was denied from point blank range, and Jon Macken’s side were made to pay. 

The familiar face of Lewis Rawsthorn, who spent the majority of last season on loan at Bower Fold, came back to haunt his former club soon after with a debut goal, turning in Owen Robinson’s drilled effort to double Bury’s advantage. 

Robinson was on the scoresheet himself just moments later, slotting past Monks after a superb solo run to make it three. 

Evans then smashed into the roof of the net for his second of the afternoon, virtually wrapping the game up before the half hour mark. 

Max Leonard gave Celtic a glimmer of hope early in the second period, stabbing home from the rebound after his initial spot kick was saved, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Evans turned in a penalty of his own to complete his hat trick 17 minutes from time. 

Things would get worse for Celtic, who gave away a second penalty just five minutes later when Monks rushed off his line and cleared out former Celt DJ Pedro, with Leo Graham converting from 12 yards this time around. 

Ellis Horan did manage to grab a consolation goal for the hosts five minutes from time, but it did little to right the wrongs of the previous 85 minutes. 

Elsewhere, in the NPL Premier, Ashton United got back to winning ways with a statement victory at nearby FC United of Manchester. 

A single first half strike was enough to see the Robins stun the side placed third in the table, and move up to eighth in the process. 

There were early warning signs for FC, with Callum Rowe rattling the bar 17 minutes in, but the hosts would have the chance to take the lead from the spot soon after when Rowe was penalised for a foul in the area. 

But this chance was spurned by former Reading man Adam Le Fondre, who was unable to beat the burly figure of Jordan Eastham from 12 yards. 

Visitors Ashton took full advantage on the half hour mark, with Dylan Cogill tapping in from close range to stun Broadhurst Park. 

Despite dominating possession in the second period, hosts FC were unable to find a way past a resolute Robins defence, who held firm and sealed a crucial win.  

Finally, in the NPL West, Mossley fell to a 2-0 defeat at Avro, who extended their league winning streak to eight games at the Vestacare Stadium. 

A goal in each half was enough to see The Ro condemn the Lilywhites to their third defeat in four matches. 

Hosts Avro went ahead on 23 minutes, with Ryley Smith heading home Adam Owen’s free kick before Kyle Hawley added a second just minutes after the interval. 

Despite a valiant effort, Alex Craddock’s side were unable to find a way through, with Obua Mugalula coming the closest just past the hour, forcing a fine save from former Curzon stopper Cam Mason who made sure to protect his all-important clean sheet.