Stalybridge Celtic under 10s completed their pre-season schedule in fine style by winning the Dukinfield Youth Tournament on Bank Holiday Monday.  The 'A' team, unbeaten in nine games, defeated the hosts in the final 1-0, with Brad scoring the crucial goal from a sweetly struck low free-kick. In fact, it was almost an 'A' team versus 'B' team final, the 'B' agonisingly beaten in the semi-final via a sudden death penalty shoot-out. Indeed, they held the lead until the final two minutes, after new sigining McAuley pounced like any good striker should when Dan's free-kick smashed against the bar, but the lads just couldn't quite hang on.   It was a fantastic effort by both sides, cheered on as always by their parents and a great boost ahead of the league season that starts again next Saturday with a tough fixture against Glossop North End. However, if Monday is anything to go by then its sure to be another entertaining seaso... Read the rest of this article...

On Thursday 26th August, training for the U10s reverts to the astroturf surface at Curzon Ashton from 6-7pm. For the first week, a friendly has been arranged with Glossop North End. Please meet in full kit with tracksuit/wet top as appropriate at 5.45pm at the latest.

Celtic under 9s won the East Manchester Junior Football League Primary Cup on Saturday, defeating Dukinfield Youth 6-2 at Ewan Fields, Hyde United's ground, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.  Its great reward for the boys who've played some fantastic football this season and did so once again yesterday. Credit must also go to our opposition who, as always, played the game in the right spirit and were very gracious in defeat.  Thanks to Phil and your lads, that's how under 9s football should be.   The 'B' team produced a superb display, probably their best of the season, to win the first game comprehensively by 5 goals to nil. All five goals came from nice one touch passing movements. Bomber scored the first when Josh found Keenan who laid it on a plate for the quicksilver striker to tap in. Keenan scored both the second and third goals from close range, being in exactly the right place at the right time to turn in Nathan's passes.  After ... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 9s completed their league campaign with a double over Reddish Vulcans on Saturday morning at Wright Robinson School. It wasn't enough to win the East Manchester JFL First Division title, a poor February did for that, but it did mean they've taken 14 points from the last 16 to end their season in style and top form ahead of the Primary Cup Final against Dukinfield Youth next Saturday. The 'B' team streched their unbeaten run to 7 games, with a 2-0 victory that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests.  Nathan and Bomber both got on the scoresheet as Celtic had the lions share of possession and the chances, but couldn't add to their 2 goal half-time advantage. Lewis and Callum provided the security for James at the back, while Josh again controlled the midfield. Nathan took his chance really well and Bomber continued his recent good form with his 12th of the season.  Keenan provided Elliot with the chance to make it 3-0 right on full time, bu... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Under 9s continued their recent run of good results by taking 3 points off Reddish Vulcans at Wright Robinson School on Saturday mornnig, despite both Kai and Thomas being absent leaving one team without a substitute to call upon.   The 'B' team produced a tremendous performance, winning 4-0 and really controlling the majority of the match.  After an even start, Celtic took the lead when Rhylee's long throw flicked off the head of a defender and Keenan was alert to steal in at the back post to opening the scoring - his second in two games.  Defensive uncertainty almost cost Bridge an equaliser, but they held firm until half-time. An injury to Rhylee early in the second half saw a change in positions for Nathan and Bomber and the introduction of Elliot up front.  The Soccer School graduate made an immediate impact and from then on in, all the play was in the Vulcans half, leaving James very little to do.  A ... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 9s warmed up for the Primary Cup Final against Dukinfield Youth next month by defeating them 8-1 at Wright Robinson School on Saturday morning in a tremendous display of attacking football.   The 'B' team, as usual, kicked off first, but it took them ten minutes to really get going.  Indeed, the early introduction of substitutes Rhylee and Keenan changed the course of the half in a flash.  First, Rhylee's interception found Nathan who crossed for Bomber to score his 11th of the season to put Bridge 1-0 up.  Within a couple of minutes it was 2-0, Keenan smashing a shot in to the roof of the net from 10 yards.  A third goal came moments later, as Brad found the top corner with a fine free-kick. 3-0 at half time and cruising, but perhaps some of the lads thought the job was done.  Wounded, Dukinfield hit back with two break-away goals to reduce the deficit within 10 minutes of the re-start.  Celtic were unable to create much the... Read the rest of this article...

After a fortnight without a game, Celtic U9s showed no ill effects as they produced two top performances to twice defeat Stockport Junior Blues 3-1 on Saturday morning at Wright Robinson School.   The 'B' team welcomed back Rhylee in defence following his enforced absence due to an operation, allowing Nathan to play on the left side of midfield. And it was his shot that led to Celtic taking the lead, although Callum knew little about it, as it cannoned off the post, the keeper and then his behind before finding the back of the net!  It was finally that bit of luck that has undoubtedly been missing in front of goal in recent weeks and was the springboard to a fine display.  The lead was soon doubled when a corner from Josh took a flick off a defender while under pressure from Bomber and Rhylee was on hand to head in.  The famous or infamous 'Rhylee Roll' back on show as the defender ran 40 yards to celebrate. A bit of indecision in de... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Celtic and Curzon Ashton under 9s somehow failed to find a goal between them in two engrossing goalless draws at Wright Robinson School on Saturday morning.  The games really could have gone either way if both teams defences had not been in such fine form.   The 'B' team kicked things off, and worked tirelessly all game to keep the opposition's attacks to a minimum.  James produced one fine stop in the second half, brilliantly pushing the ball round the post at full stretch, to deny Curzon, while Nathan and Lewis put in solid displays in defence.  With Bomber moving up to the 'A' team due to Max's absence, Keenan played up front and he deserves credit for working really hard to prevent their defenders any time or space to play the ball forward.  Twice he was denied by blocks and was always positive on the ball. Josh controlled the game in the centre of midfield, defending strongly and breaking forward quickly and skillfully at times... Read the rest of this article...

Celtic under 9s went joint top of the East Manchester JFL First Division, but missed the chance to go clear after winning and losing against Delamere Rangers on Saturday at Wright Robinson School. Unbelievably, the 'B' team lost 4-2, as Delamere scored every time they ventured in to Stalybridge's half of the field, but how different it could have been with a little bit of luck. Bridge dominated the first fifteen minutes, with Jack hitting the post and Keenan going close twice, once denied by a fantastic save, that could have put the game to bed.  They took the lead when Keenan skipped past his marker and crossed for Jack fired home with his left foot.  However, when Delamere won a corner with their first attack a quarter of an hour in, a good glancing header made it 1-1 and that's how it stayed until the break. A second corner early in the second half and a second glancing header yielded another goal for Delamere, whilst a break away made it 3-1 soon after.  ... Read the rest of this article...

This weekend's match for the under 9s against Reddish Vulcans has already been postponed due to the current and forecast weather conditions.   Next Saturday there's another change in the fixtures as the Quarter-Finals of the Divisional Cup are due to take place. As we are already in the Primary Cup Final we are not allowed to take part and thus its likely a friendly will be arranged at Wright Robinson for us, probably against Dukinfield or Hough End.   We'll try and keep you all informed as far ahead as possible about forthcoming games and training.