Celts end Bridge’s undefeated start

STALYBRIDGE inflicted Bamber Bridge’s first defeat of the season in what was a pulsating clash at Bower Fold.

Celtic took the lead after just two minutes when the ball fell to Matty Wolfenden 20 yards out and his vicious volley gave Lloyd Rigby in the Brig goal no chance as it whistled into the top corner.

The visitors took only five minutes to get back in the game when Kieran Charnock arrived late and unchallenged to thunder a header in from Alistair Waddecar’s corner.

James Aspinall prevented Brig from taking the lead with a superb stop from Waddecar and Wolfenden whipped a shot just wide as the game swung from end to end. Neil Kengni netted for Celtic but was thwarted by an offside flag.

Right on half-time the deadlock was broken when Celtic’s Scott Bakkor broke free on the right and rifled home a rising drive from the edge of the box.

Celtic looked to have made the points safe when Kengni’s persistence saw him drill home the third on 65 minutes after his initial shot was blocked by Rigby, but Ryan White’s deflected effort two minutes later set up a grandstand finish. Celtic always looked the more likely but Wolfenden’s curling drive against the bar was the closest either side came to adding to their tally.