U8's A v Chaddy End Sat 12th March

Stalybridge Celtic A 3-2 Chaddy End         After last week’s disappointing performance, Celtic were keen to get back to playing the football they can. The first few minutes were evenly matched with both teams having a couple of half chances and competing well for the ball. Chaddy End were forced to shoot from distance as Alex and Callum held firm with Rhys and Sam on the wings tracking back well. However Celtic were unfortunate to go a goal behind from a long range looping Chaddy effort after 5 mins. Nathan played well at striker pressurising and seeing plenty of the ball matching a physical Chaddy defence to create any decent opportunities upfront. Rhys finally got the equaliser after some good work on the left following a corner, drilling a low shot into the crowded Chaddy penalty area and going through the legs of the unsighted keeper. Credit to Stalybridge’s team performance as Josh was rarely troubled in Celtic’s goal but made one decent save towards the end of the half.  

Jack and Marcus joined the game in the second half and Sam went to the middle. This seemed to give Celtic a lift and we began to pass the ball better, finding spaces in Chaddys defence and creating a number of good scoring opportunities. Rhys doubled his tally with a long range effort but Chaddy equalised shortly afterwards from a whipped in corner, going in off a Celtic player on the line. Celtic had a several chances to win the game many coming on player’s weaker feet on the left, and Marcus narrowly missing contact with the ball from a cross, before Jack fired the winner after some quick passing leaving Chaddy short of cover at the back. A well deserved win with great effort from all the boys. MOM Rhys.