SCOTT’S SOLITARY STRIKE IS ENOUGH...

A SOLITARY second half strike by Scott Bakkor was enough to settle a tight game and give Celtic their first home league win since September 29th.

In a game where chances were at a premium throughout the goal was perhaps indicative of the game as a whole with Bakkor inadvertently bundling a cross from debutant Michael Howard back across keeper Mate Deczki and into the bottom corner.

The first half was largely devoid of goal mouth action, with Deckzi only called into action to collect Dan Cockerline’s weak effort and watch Andy Scott’s drilled effort fizz just wide of his post.

At the other end all Paddy Wharton had to do was race from his line to block a Matt Dodd effort.

The second half was a little more lively with Town’s Dodd and Jed Davies both testing Wharton from distance and Cockerline watching his effort from a narrow angle creep across the Hednesford goal line and out to safety beyond the far post.

As Stalybridge dropped deeper in an effort to protect their lead the visitors enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to penetrate a resolute and organised Celtic rearguard who ensured their first home win in seven attempts.