Match Report -
Celtic Progress Through To The Next Round Of The FA Cup
By Taran Dhamrait

Stalybridge Celtic progressed through to the Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying after a convincing 3-0 win over Bishop Auckland.

Goals from Mike Burke, Harry Freedman and a first Celtic goal for Lewis Salmon saw Celtic through to the next round.

Celtic should have took an early lead. On three minutes, Ustabasi was played through down the right hand side, he delivered a low drilled cross towards Nic Evangelinos who fired across goal and wide. 


The visitors rarely troubled Celtic in the first half but Tom Stewart was called into action on 16 minutes, making a good save to deny a free-kick from 25 yards.

Harry Freedman went close, firing over the bar from the edge of the area before Celtic did take the lead on 22 minutes.

Celtic worked the ball nicely as Evangelinos and Ustabasi exchanged passes, the latter cut the ball back across goal to Burke who turned the ball in past Charlie Lamb.

Celtic continued to look sharp up front, Freddie Sass was found in space, left of the penalty area but his cross was just too high for Ustabasi.

Celtic’s remaining chances of the half all fell to Ustabasi. On 43 minutes, he won the ball back on half way, drove towards goal but his shot from range fell wide of the post.



 Moments before the break, Celtic nearly made it two. Kallum Mantack delivered a wonderful cross from the right, onto the head of Ustabasi bit it was an awkward angle and he headed just wide.

Celtic started the second half quickly and it took just six minutes for Celtic to score a second goal.

A shot from the edge of the area was parried by Lamb into the path of Freedman who from close range slotted the ball past the keeper.

Celtic continued to push for goals, Burke went close with a curling shot which Lamb tipped over the bar and Salmon also saw a powerful strike saved by the visiting keeper after substitute Keano Deacon had beaten his man down the right flank.

Celtic’s pressure eventually paid off and on 77 minutes, Salmon who was fresh off the bench scored his first Celtic goal.


Evangelinos delivered a free-kick from the right and Salmon rose highest at the far post to head in Celtic’s third of the night.

Celtic nearly scored a fourth two minutes from time. Salmon was again involved, connecting with a Deacon cross. This time he was denied by Lamb who made a cracking reaction save.

Celtic saw the rest of the game out and ran out comfortable winners in the end, sealing a place in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.

1Lamb, Charlie  
2Robinson, Ruan  > 58
3Goldsborough, Liam  
4Potter, Liam  
5Munro, CallumYellow Card 
6Lines, McKellan  
7Parnaby, Kieran  > 67
8Connor, Jack  
9Morris, Kyle  > 67
10Nixon, Regan  
11Hogan, Luke  
12Chandler, Ben  
14Martin, Cameron  < 67
15Moody, Matt  
16Brownless, Luke  < 58
17Marshall, Jamie  < 67