Celtic never really looked like losing against a Salford side that had three former Celts in their lineup: Andy Smart, Chris Lynch and Nicky Platt.

Ennis started his hattrick with a low drilled twenty-yard shot that had too much power for Andy Robertson, after both sides had half chances, with Ennis again going close with a rasping drive Robertson tipped over. James Kirby went close with a spectacular overhead kick, but King was well placed for the block. The game went out of Salford's reach when Sam Madeley saw his initial effort blocked by King, but in trying to reach the loose ball, barrelled through King, earning himself a straight red.

Almost from the off, Celtic made the game safe, Ennis picking the ball up in his own half, he raced throgh the middle, evaded several challenges, before cutting into the box and fired past Robertson at his near post. Ennis completed his hattrick ten minutes later when he got the ball back from a corner, ran along the line, lifted the ball over one challenge and curled an effort around Robertson from close range. There was almost a fourth to cap off a good display, but Rammone Blackie's stooping header off Ben McKenna's cross was turned superbly away by Robertson.