STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 3, BURNLEY U23 1
Stalybridge Celtic’s whirlwind start paved the way for a first win in pre-season against Burnley Under-23s at Bower Fold.
Manager Simon Haworth’s side found itself 2-0 ahead in little over five minutes to leave the Clarets shell-shocked.
Celtic, who had five trialists in their starting line-up, made the breakthrough in the third minute when Declan Walker’s corner was fired home by Neil Kengni following a scramble.
It was soon 2-0 when newly-signed striker Craig Hobson was left unmarked to power home an unstoppable header from a Walker corner.
Celtic’s trialist goalkeeper made a great save to deny Chris Conn-Clarke before Burnley halved the deficit in the 27th minute when Tunde Bayode was put clean through and he rounded the keeper to score.
Celtic soon restored their two-goal advantage when Kengni turned provider with a cross from the left which went in off keeper Kai Calderbank-Park, though there was some suggestion Hobson may have got a nick.
Burnley, managed by former England international Steve Stone, ought to have added a second goal shortly before half time when a trialist was put clean through. He nicked the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper but the ball rolled agonisingly wide.
After an excellent first-half showing, the second period was more fragmented and disjoined as both sides made a raft of changes.
Celtic trialists had two decent chances to add to their goal tally while near the end Burnley’s Oliver Younger’s header flashed narrowly wide.