STALYBRIDGE CELTIC ‘B’ 1 – 2 WEST END WASPS By Alan Davies   Celtic’s good run of results came to end with this defeat by West End Wasps. A change of set up with two at the back left Celtic’s midfield a bit lightweight against a strong West End side. The first half finished 0-0 but could have been 1-0 to Celtic. Ryan’s reliable finishing was just a bit off when one on one with the keeper. West End’s marauding style of play up set Celtic’s passing game but it was tight with not many chances for both sides. West End opened the scoring but Celtic soon responded with a little outside of foot finish from Ryan. Both sides were pushing forward for the winner but West End got fortunate when a loose ball came across the box to allow their forward to poke home. Celtic could not get back into the game but finished the game the stronger. Man of the Match George.

Stalybridge Celtic A 5 v 1 Moston Junior Reds Celtic were down to the bare 6 players again today and they were caught cold right from the kick off. Moston capitalised on Celtic’s loose possession and scored from close range after powering straight through the middle. Stalybridge didn’t panic and Sam as skipper today led the team well with good communication, support, great composure on the ball and threaded some neat passes through the midfield. It wasn’t long before Celtic were back in the game, good play in the centre from Stalybridge resulted in a Moston own goal following a shot from Jack on the left. With some full blooded but fair challenges from both teams the game was well fought. Callum playing an unfamiliar role at the back was strong with some well timed tackles and Sam broke up Moston’s possession infront. Celtic then took the lead just before half time, some great team passing led to a free kick after the Moston keeper handled outside the area. Rhy... Read the rest of this article...

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC ‘B’ 4 – 1 FAILSWORTH VILLA By Alan Davies   A lacklustre performance in the first half from Celtic saw the teams go in at half time 0-0. Celtic had all the pressure in that first half but a lack of passing and movement meant they did not test Villa’s keeper. The second half was a different story with Celtic settling to their task with some good passing which put pressure on Villa. A good passing move down the left allowed Ryan to score his first. A lapse in defence allowed Villa to score but it wasn’t long before Celtic were back in the lead with Ryan again slotting home from close range. Celtic now looked like they could score at will and it wasn’t long before Ryan had his hatrick. Celtic closed the game out and Ryan finished off a good second half performance with his fourth goal. Man of The Match Ryan

Failsworth Dynamo Juniors 1-1 Stalybridge Celtic A Celtic were down to a bare 6 for the game today and after a delayed kick off made a sloppy start. Failing to clear their lines in the opening minutes led to a Failsworth shot through a crowded penalty area leaving Josh in goal unsighted and with no chance. After the poor early start Celtic pulled their socks up and played some excellent football with the Dynamo keeper busy in goal for the remainder of the half. Jack had a number of efforts saved, the best of which, a powerful instinctive shot from distance, the keeper somehow managing to tip it over the bar. Marcus grew into an unfamiliar role upfront with some well worked corners and linking up with the midfield, leading to an excellent shot unfortunately coming back off the post. Sam held the midfield with some good tackles and neat passes forward as well as a couple of efforts on goal himself whilst Nathan was solid at the back. Rhys worked hard for the team on the right and create... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Celtic B 6 - Failsworth Dynamos 3 By Colin Wood   Like the Spring weather the Stalybridge team had a spring in their step and had their shooting boots on for this game. Celtic started the game brightly with Cameron making some strong runs down the left wing but failed to find the net with a series of shots on goal, however it was the opposition who took an early lead. Celtic then applied more pressure in Failsworth's half and direct from a free kick Cameron struck the ball with an un-stoppable shot which flew into the roof of the net. With some good defending from Matthew and safe goal keeping from Tom the scores were level until, from nowhere a clearance from a Failsworth defender found George who hit a long range shot which looped over the keeper and into the net. With Cameron and Lewis working hard breaking up play it was not long before Celtic increased their lead again and it was George who hit a left foot shot which beat ... Read the rest of this article...

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 ... Read the rest of this article...

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC ‘B’ 3 – 2 MOSTON BROOK By Alan Davies   Another good win for the ‘B’ team against a strong Moston Brook side. Celtic are looking like a team who play for each other. From both attack and defence the whole team are playing well. Ethan covered most of the pitch in this game and made some timely tackles, which allowed Cameron to push forward down the left. The first goal came from such a move, Ethan’s good work and Cameron picked the ball up and squeezed his shot in at the near post. After the break Moston pulled a goal back when a free kick found a Moston player in space and he finished well. Celtic immediately struck back with a looping shot from George that found the top corner. Celtic pushed forward to increase their lead and the ball broke loose to Ryan who finished well. Moston closed the gap with a late goal but Celtic were good for the win. Man of the Match Ethan

Boundary Park A 3-1 Stalybridge Celtic A Celtic started the game well putting pressure on the Boundary defence and having a few early chances. Rhys hit the cross bar with a free kick before Callum scored the opener, a terrific looping shot from distance. Alex was comfortable at the back with Marcus and Jack seeing plenty of the ball on the flanks. However after the goal Boundary came more and more into the game with Josh making a good save before Boundary eventually scored the equaliser shortly before half time. Celtic’s good passing of recent weeks deserted them in the second half, and were sloppy in possession of the ball. Boundary played some excellent football and took the lead with a header in front of goal from a cross on the right. Celtic were offered a lifeline with a free kick in the Boundary penalty area following a pass back, but failed to convert as Boundary got men behind the ball. Celtic never really got back in the match after that despite the introduction of Sam ... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Celtic B 3 - Failsworth West Lions 0 By Colin Wood   Celtic's good form continued with an excellent all round team performance which resulted in a well deserved win. For the first 10 minutes there was not a lot between the two teams with William and Ethan working well in the defence, both making good shot stopping tackles and with Tom making some good saves the game remained goalless.  Celtic's first goal came from a break away with Lewis finding George with a good pass and George in turn found Ryan who coolly slotted the ball into the net. Stalybridge started the second half how they finished the first half with the team running and tackling hard and with the introduction of Cameron who made some good runs down the wing, Celtic's second goal came from a cross from Lewis who found George on his own in the box who made it 2-0. Despite what looked like a nasty injury, William stood his ground on many occasions to break the play up and with C... Read the rest of this article...

Stalybridge Celtic A 3-0 West End Wolves The second cracking game with West End in as many weeks, this time against the Wolves. Celtic started the game brightly with good possession and some excellent passing resulting in shots on goal for both Marcus and Rhys. Sam broke down most of the Wolves moves in midfield and played some great balls between Jack, Rhys and Marcus at the front of the Celtic attack. West End made it difficult with a determined defence and gave Celtic a warning of their own as Josh had to race out from his goal line to make a very brave save. Celtic looked dangerous on the counter and West End conceded a free kick bringing down Sam as they struggled to get back. Rhys struck from long range going in off the head of a Wolves defender to take Celtic into a 1-0 half time lead. Celtic reshaped in the second as Callum joined the action taking up his familiar position. With excellent play from both teams the second half was end to end. Typically Jack had a shot saved af... Read the rest of this article...