Stalybridge Celtic Blues 0 West End Boys 4..............By Alun Ireland........
The Blues were second best as they struggled against an impressive West End team.
The boys struggled for large parts of the game, and only a fine performance from Deacon kept the score to four.
West End almost went ahead as early as the fourth minute, hitting the bar before Deacon pulled off the first of many saves. Only Will carried any forward threat, and West End dominated possession with the advantage of the strong wind.
That wind helped when they curled the ball in directly from a corner to take the lead, and they would have had their second had it not been for Deacon tipping the ball onto the post.
The second goal did come just before half time though when the Blues again struggled to defend a corner, and the ball was lofted back into the net from well outside the box by West End.
The boys started better in the second half, having their first shot of the match when Dan L passed to Connor in front of goal, and it was Connor who came close again but shot wide after a good run.
But the Blues were never secure in midfield or defence, and with Deacon often left one on one, it was a matter of time before West End converted another chance. The third was a nice chip from the forward over Deacon’s head, and just after Archie had unluckily hit the post for Stalybridge, a poor clearance went straight to a West End player who made no mistake.
Winning by four didn’t flatter West End on a day the Blues struggled.
Stalybridge Celtic Whites 4 West End Boys 2
An excellent second half display saw the Whites win again, despite having to come from two goals down.
West End started well, with some early pressure, but were fortunate to take the lead when the wind caused Deacon to struggle with a corner, which he could only parry into his own goal. The lead was doubled when one of the best moves of the game – a run down the right and perfectly timed cross and finish but West End two up.
And they nearly made it three, but for fine defending from Brandon and a strong hand from deacon.
But the Whites suddenly found their passing, and with Brandon clearing up anything loose at the back, and Jack C dominating midfield, Callum and Robson began to find their form.
Calum was first ot react to a loose throw to make it 2-1, and Jack C almost levelled beore half time when he just pushed his shot wide from a corner.
In the second half, Deacon was called on to keep his team in it, saving low to his right, before a West End back heel hit the post, but after that it was all whites.
Callum left the defence for dead, cutting off his right foot before blasting in with his left, then Robson made no mistake after good work from jack and Callum.
Robson headed just over after another fine move, and the boys got the fourth they deserved when Adam and Callum linked up to put Robson through for his second.