On Saturday Celtic are in FA Trophy action against neighbours Curzon Ashton. Curzon are currently seventh in the North Premier League, the league above Celtic.

Curzon have plied their trade in the Conference North since 2014, getting relegated last season. Their start was poor this season, but has picked up of late. They started with a 1-0 home win over Alfreton, lost their next two away games at Bury and Emley, drew at home to Bamber Bridge and then lost at home to Guiseley. After a 4-0 away win over Warrington, results picked up, beating Cleethorpes away and Ashton at home. Bradford Park Avenue knocked them out of the FA Cup, before most recently they beat Lancaster in the league. They did not have a game last week.

We met Curzon last year in the Manchester Cup, when they beat us 6-5 on penalties, after the game finished 3-3, a stoppage time penalty from Curzon equalising after Benni Smales-Braithwaite, Kyle Brownhill and Lewis Rawsthorn had come back from 2-0 to earn the lead. They also knocked us out of the Manchester cup the year before, that game finishing 4-1. Both games were at Bower Fold. We’ve met four times in the league, three draws and a loss. It’s been nine years since we last visited their ground, a game which finished 0-0 in the Conference North. Our only other competitive visit was the season before, which finished 0-0.

In their last match, the 2-0 away win over Lancaster, Curzon lined up as: 1. Aidan Dowling
2. Timi Sobowale
3. Harvey Hayhurst
4. Marcus Poscha
5. Joel Amado
6. Joe Nolan
7. Jack Stobbs
8. Danny Whitehead
9. Ola Lawal
10. Harvey Roberts
11. Brad Holmes

In Celtic’s last match, the 2-2 away draw with Chasetown, Celtic lined up as:
1. Charlie Monks
2. Mike Koral
3. Kyle Brownhill
4. Charlie Doyle
5. Josh Granite
6. Fortune Maphosa
7. Andy Scarisbrick
8. Liam Tongue
9. Ruben Jerome
10. Jack Irlam
11. Lewis Rawsthorn

This is a free pass for Celtic. Curzon are the higher-placed team, at home, and are expected to win. Cup upset, anyone?