Celtic need to put the disappointing performance against Kettering behind them as they travel to Burscough for their first away fixture of the Blue Square North campaign. Like ourselves, Burscough lost their opening day fixture, losing 4-2 at Tamworth. This leaves them sixteenth in the table.
Our last meeting with Burscough was a friendly in 2005 that ended 0-0. Out of our last seven meetings, we have drawn four, and won two, with Burscough's only win coming after Celtic had already been crowned Unibond Champions back in 2001. We don't have a brilliant record against Burscough, with the last competitive fixture at their ground in 2003 possibly the dullest on record, with a total of eight shots, three of which were on target (that's for both teams).
Burscough won the Unibond league last season, a feat that should give them momentum to push to the middle of the table, like Blyth did last season. However, they have already hit one stumbling block and that may have dented their confidence somewhat. Like Celtic, they were up against a title contender, and they may view the game in the more positive light that they scored twice. Ex-Ashton United striker Ciaran Kilheeney getting the second after Dave Roberts had opened the scoring for them.
Burscough may have changed somewhat from the FA Trophy winning team of 2003, but they did win the Unibond and have the vastly experienced Liam Watson in charge. They have retained much of the squad from the 2006/07 squad, including Farrell Kilbane, who played a short while at Celtic before a severe injury forced him to resign. Another ex-Celt is Chris Price. However, Burscough have not really strengthened their squad from the championship winning team, adding Allan Smart and Adam Flynn, a striker and a defender respectively.
With Mike Tomlinson out through injury prior to the Tamworth game, the loss of Neil Fitzhenry in that match will have caused some consternation, though Adam Flynn should be available for selection, Watson will have to juggle his defence ahead of the Celtic match.
In the 4-2 defeat at Tamworth, Burscough lined up as:
- Tony McMillan
- Dave Roberts
- Matt McGinn
- Neil Fitzhenry
- Farrell Kilbane
- Dominic Morely
- Robbie Booth
- Chris Price
- Neil Robinson
- Ciaran Kilheeny
- Kevin Leadbetter
Celtic lined up in their 1-0 home defeat to Kettering as:
- Paddy Gamble
- Steve Payne
- Andy Smart
- Paul Sykes
- Terry Barwick
- James Dudgeon
- Ashley Burbeary
- Ashley Winn
- Chris Hall
- Matty Barlow
- Lee Ellington
Celtic will need to perform a lot better than they did against Kettering if we are to get our first points on the board, indeed, if we are to get our first goals on the board. Burscough will not be an easy or willing victim, in their first home game of the Blue Square North. Celtic will have to be canny and play well.