A Kai Evans hattrick, a brace for Leo Graham and one for former Celt, Lewis Rawsthorn saw Bury hit six past Stalybridge Celtic on what was a poor afternoon at Bower Fold for the home side.

It started badly for Celtic. A free kick on the edge of the box curled up and over and back down again by Evans to superbly kick the away side into gear. Owen Robinson almost made it two inside five minutes, but Charlie Monks narrowed the gap and made himself big. At the other end, Kyle Brownhill was denied on the line, his header in a crowded box cleared by the Bury defence. Andy Scarisbrick also saw a brilliant chance from close range, trying to lift the shot over Mitch Allen, only for Allen to make a stunning save as Celtic started to look good for an equaliser. However, former Celt Rawsthorn struck after a corner when Celtic couldn’t clear properly, calmly diverting a cross into the back of the net. To make it worse, four minutes later and Kai Evans threaded the ball through for Leo Graham to go one-on-one with Monks. Monks again came out quickly, but Graham found the eye of a needle to get the ball past him into the net. And then a fourth. Bebeto Gomes’s lofted ball to the back post was met by Evans who from a tight angle, smashed the ball into the net. The closest Celtic came to a goal was Jack Byrne’s header, looping over Allen and for Bury, Bobby Carroll with his own header off the line.

Celtic needed an early goal, switching both Liam Tongue and Jordan Butterworth making way for Max Leonard and Dontai Gabidon. It took ten minutes for them to make an impact. Ellis Horan’s cut in and shot hit the bar, came down and would have crossed the line, but for the outstretched hand of James Neild. A penalty awarded. Leonard took the spot kick, with Allen saving, but Leonard followed in to slot home the loose ball. The comeback lasted fifteen minutes when Aaron Chalmers slid in to dispossess DJ Pedro. Penalty, converted by Evans, and then moments later, Pedro again burst through, this time, brought down Monks. Graham took the spot kick, six goals to give the away side a dominant victory. Celtic kept plugging away and Gabidon got a chance with ten minutes remaining, Allen’s save palming the ball out to Horan, who smashed the ball into the top corner.