Celtic scored the only goal against a team coming into the game having not lost away from home since September.

In the first meaningful attack by either side, Ellis Horan skipped past Matty Rain, pulling the ball back for Liam Tongue. Masses of Runcorn players prevented a clean chance, so he lifted it to Andy Scarisbrick. Under pressure, with Bayleigh Passant closing him down, Scarisbrick lifted it over the Runcorn keeper, nestling into the far side netting to put Celtic up. It could have been two moments later when Liam Tongue got hold of his thirty-yard shot, the rocket clipping the crossbar. Former Celt, Scott Bakkor, got the visitor’s only shot on target forty minutes in, firing low at an angle, with Charlie Monks doing well to get down and hold the ball with attackers arriving, whilst Horan tried a cheeky effort from a free kick, but Passant saved well.

Runcorn re-organised for the second half, putting Celtic under almost constant pressure, but the Celtic defence held firm, and Celtic worked the better chances, Tongue denied by a deflection off Adam Rooney and Ruben Jerome’s headed flew narrowly wide. At times, it was back to the wall for Celtic, with Aaron Chalmers and Jack Tinning towers at the back. When the chances came, Celtic came close. Tongue forced a decent stop, but Jack Irlam’s attempt for another entry in goal of the season required an excellent stop from Passant.

It was a good win for Celtic, and keeps our promotion charge going.