Macca_SAFC Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 Thanks Jendur Yes, it is quite hard, especially in the first season but as you can see a minor overhaul can turn things right around. Stalybridge Celtic v Forest Green Rovers FA Trophy Second Round Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, Folkes, Maidens, Price, Murray, Kerr, Davis ©, Mulvaney Mulvaney scored twice in the first half to give us a cushion but Forest Green came at us for the whole second half. Sylvester's 80th minute goal was as far as they got to coming back. Stalybridge 2 Forest Green 1 Attendance: 1431 MOTM: Chris Price (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 cott Kerr had picked up the yellow that would see him suspended for a game. The draw for the next round had given us our first away tie and a tough one at that. Cambridge United were a top half Conference side and were sure to give us a hard game. Worcester City v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, Folkes, Maidens, Price, Murray, Kerr, Davis ©, Paynter After 9 minutes we fell behind to a Moore strike. Goals from Kelly and Bradshaw sent us crashing to our first defeat of 2007. Worcester 3 Stalybridge 0 MOTM: Gavin Maguire (Worcester City) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 16, 2005 Author Share Posted December 16, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Leigh RMI Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, Folkes ©, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Mulvaney, Paynter Following a lively opening, Paynter made use of space inside the box to put us ahead. After half time, Mulvaney's strike extended our lead and we held on for a deserved victory. Stalybridge 2 Leigh RMI 0 Attendance: 1355 MOTM: Adam Wilkes (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Kerr and Spender had both picked up injuries, likely to rule them out for a couple of weeks. Moor Green v Stalybridge celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Hockenhull, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Price ©, Mulvaney, Paynter Early on, Paynter put us ahead with a well taken strike. We played well from then on but were unfortunate to concede an equalizer late on, O'Shea on target. Moor Green 1 Stalybridge 1 MOTM: Malcolm Rigby (Moor Green) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 There was a shock in the FA Cup Fourth Round, Bournemouth having 2 shots and scoring 2 goals against Arsenal to go through. Stalybridge Celtic v Altrincham Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Hockenhull, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Mulvaney, Paynter © We got off to a superb start, Paynter opening the scoring after 6 minutes. Paynter got his second 4 minutes later as we played some wonderful football. It took 10 minutes for the third to arrive, Mulvaney headering home a Paynter cross. On 28 minutes it was 4, Kerr with a header from a set piece. And then it was 5, Paynter completing his hat trick. Half time came and I was just in awe of our performance so far. The form didn't quite carry into the second half as we just took it easy with our huge five goal cushion. Stalybridge 5 Altrincham 0 Attendance: 1411 MOTM: Owen Paynter (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Before our Trophy tie with Cambridge we were given a massive boost by Jamie McCombe's return from injury. With Cambridge strong in the air, we needed his height at the back. Cambridge United v Stalybridge Celtic FA Trophy Third Round Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, McCombe, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Mulvaney, Paynter © Compared to our start last match this was dreadful, with Facey opening the scoring on 5 minutes. We were lucky to only be 1-0 down at half time and our hopes of a fightback were further deminished when Mulvaney was sent off for a second bookable offence. With minutes left, Manolo ended our Trophy campaign for this season. Ellington pulled a goal back but Onibuje, a player who would've signed for us had he received a work permit, made it 3-1 in injury time. Cambridge 3 Stalybridge 1 MOTM: Courtney Pitt (Cambridge United) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Northwich Victoria v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, McCombe, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Ellington, Paynter © Despite being under the cosh for most of the 45 minutes, we went in at half time goalless. The pressure continued but Ellington nicked a goal with a placed header. Richards broke through to equalize soon after and if it were not for an amazing goalkeeping display from Wilkes we would've lost the game. As it was, Paynter took full advantage of a defensive error to give us the win with just two minutes left. Northwich 1 Stalybridge 2 MOTM: Adam Wilkes (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Hucknall Town Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, McCombe, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Ellington, Paynter © After just 6 minutes we were behind, Gill breaking free of the defence. After half time Ward doubled Hucknall's lead with an effort from distance. Davis' late consolation wasn't enough as we went down 2-1. Stalybridge 1 Hucknall 2 Attendance: 1661 MOTM: Robert Gill (Hucknall Town) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Jamie McCombe had been injured during the game and would be out for the next couple of matches. I was delighted to hear that Andy Williams was finally fit again and he would be straight back into the starting line up. Worksop Town v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Williams, Paynter © With 8 minutes gone, Wilkinson lost the ball on the half way line allowing Flanagan a free run at goal and he duly took the opportunity. Wilkes then went off injured, Winter coming on between the posts. Miller extended Worksop's lead with a header on 33 minutes before Paynter pulled one back soon after. After the interval, Worksop had a goal ruled out for offside. The real drama came in stoppage time, when Cole had a penalty saved, seeing us lose 2-1. Worksop 2 Stalybridge 1 MOTM: Barry Miller (Worksop Town) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Barrow Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Maidens, Cole, Murray, Kerr, Williams, Paynter © We got off to an excellent start, Cole scoring a 3rd minute tap in. An own goal from Howarth that was quickly followed by a strike from Williams put us firmly in the driving seat. We didn't make life easy for ourselves though, with Barrow getting goals through Pomroy and Flitcroft. Stalybridge 3 Barrow 2 Attendance: 1210 MOTM: Steve Ridley (Barrow) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Some great news came through from the physio - Andrew Appleby had recovered fully from his broken leg. Hopefully, he could regain his good form before his horrific injury had occurred. Nuneaton Borough v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, FOlkes ©, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Murray, Appleby, Williams Reeves opened the scoring after 18 minutes, putting Nuneaton up front from 20 yards out. Soon after we were down to 10 men, Folkes picking up a second yellow. Reeves got Nuneaton's second as we went in 2-0 down at half time. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't come back and fell to defeat. Nuneaton 2 Stalybridge 0 MOTM: Damian Reeves (Nuneaton Borough) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 Adam Wilkes broke his finger in training, meaning he'd be out for as long as 2 months. Burscough v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Murray ©, Appleby, Williams A dull first half was barely bettered by the second in a drab 0-0 draw. Burscough 0 Stalybridge 0 MOTM: Lewis Edge (Burscough) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Karl Murray had pulled his hamstring, ruling him out for some time. Stalybridge Celtic v Gainsborough Trinity Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr ©, Ellington, Williams, Appleby 16 minutes in and we were in front, Cole getting on the end of a deep cross from Williams. Kerley equalized for Gainsborough before half time. Neither side could find a winner as we drew 1-1. Stalybridge 1 Gainsborough 1 Attendance: 1216 MOTM: Steve Housham (Gainsborough Trinity) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Simon Spender had bruised his shin with the physio giving him an estimate of 2 weeks off. Stalybridge Celtic v Droylsden Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Ellington, Williams, Appleby We took the lead against top placed Droylsden after 20 minutes, Williams firing into the bottom corner. Some stout defending kept us ahead until the final whistle to give us a great win over our rivals. Stalybridge 1 Droylsden 0 Attendance: 1323 MOTM: Darren Bradshaw (Droylsden) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Hednesford Town v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Ellington, Williams, Appleby Early on we led, McLaughlin turning Appleby's cross into his own net. After half time, Spender handled inside the area to give Punches the chance to score from the spot, which he duly did. With seconds remaining, McLaughlin made up for his own goal by headering in an undeserved winner for Hednesford. Hednesford 2 Stalybridge 1 MOTM: Barry McLaughlin (Hednesford Town) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Harrogate Town Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Ellington, Williams, Appleby The match between fourth and fifth never lived up to it's build-up as it finished 0-0. Stalybridge 0 Harrogate 0 Attendance: 1204 MOTM: Richard Dunning (Harrogate Town) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 We were boosted by Murray's return from his hamstring injury before our match with 3rd placed Stafford. Stalybridge Celtic v Stafford Rangers Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Murray, Williams, Appleby After a lively opening from both sides, Reid put Stafford ahead. We struggled to find a foothold in the game but with 13 minutes left, Appleby rose well to head in his first since his injury. Stalybridge 1 Stafford 1 Attendance: 1149 MOTM: Wayne Daniel (Stafford Rangers) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Wakefield-Emley Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Murray, Williams, Appleby Early on Clark of Wakefield had to be pulled away from the ref because of his anger at his sending off, though I felt it was justified for his two footed hack on Appleby. It took us until the 70th minute to make our numerical advantage pay, Griffin scoring from distance. As our fans felt the job was done, McCombe made an awful error in stoppage time to allow Muller to score an undeserved equalizer. Stalybridge 1 Wakefield-Emley 1 Attendance: 1127 MOTM: Adam Muller (Wakefield-Emley) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Wilkes' finger was now fully operational, giving him the all clear to return in between the posts. Gateshead v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Folkes ©, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr, Murray, Williams, Appleby 2 minutes in we were handed an opener as Colvin embarassingly passed it past his keeper. Luck was further on our side as Cole's mishit cross found the net. Givans pulled one back for Gateshead shortly before the interval. After the break, Kerr restored our two goal cushion before Collington set up a nervy climax. We held on though for a vital win. Gateshead 2 Stalybridge 3 MOTM: Peter Folkes (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Folkes had been rewarded for his man of the match with a stubbed toe, ruling him out for a couple of weeks. I also received some surprising yet pleasant news from the board. They had for some strange reason decided to increase my transfer budget - fair enough, I thought, it had been an excellent season. To 250k they said. Now that left me speechless. Of course, I had no intention to use it. We were over 80 grand in debt for God's sake, where the hell would the money come from. I considered calling the men in white coats... Kettering Town v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr ©, Murray, Williams, Appleby Kettering, who had already secured their play-off spot, took the lead on 16 minutes through Lennon. Towards the end of the game, we levelled as substitute Price scored a superb free kick with his first touch - it was vital we kept him once he turned 17. Near instantly, Kettering retook the lead as Townsend caught our defence napping. And near instantly after that Xiourouppa made it three. And near instantly once more, Ellington pulled one back. In stoppage time, Xiourouppa made sure of Kettering's win with a lobbed shot. Kettering 4 Stalybridge 2 MOTM: Luke Townsend (Kettering Town) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stalybridge Celtic v Southport Nationwide Conference North Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr ©, Murray, Williams, Appleby This was our final game of the season and everything was to play for. Our play-off position was near enough confirmed unless Altrincham could overturn a -14 goal difference but our position within the play-off spaces meant a lot. We were currently fourth, meaning we would face Stafford but a bad result could see us fifth and against Kettering or Droylsden. We didn't start like we should've, Langmead putting Southport ahead within 3 minutes. We were level on 25 minutes, Appleby headering home. Despite some bright attacking play in the second half, we couldn't find a winner. It didn't matter though as we secured fourth place and a two legged tie with Stafford Rangers. Stalybridge 1 Southport 1 Attendance: 1285 MOTM: Mitchell Cole (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 Stafford Rangers v Stalybridge Celtic Nationwide Conference North Play-Off Semi Final First Leg Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr ©, Murray, Williams, Appleby For what was supposed to be an exhibition of two of the best teams in the league, it really wasn't much of a match. We had the only shot on target in a dull 0-0. Hopefully the second leg would be more interesting. Stafford 0 Stalybridge 0 MOTM: Scott Kerr (Stalybridge Celtic) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 In the other semi, Kettering had been held to a 1-1 draw at home by Harrogate. Ahead of our second leg, it was revealed to me that Stafford had not won in 10 games - they had only lost 2 though. Maybe some penalty practice was in order. Stalybridge Celtic v Stafford Rangers Nationwide Conference North Playoff Semi Final Second Leg Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Wilkes, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson, McCombe, Maidens, Cole, Kerr ©, Murray, Williams, Appleby We had a nightmare start, falling behind after 13 seconds to Hendley's header. On 28 minutes we were level, a three touch move from goalkeeper to Appleby via Williams squaring the tie. Staffird hit the bar before we went into half time at 1-1. I was relieved to hear at the break that away goals did not count, meaning the tie was completely level. It was still level after 90 minutes as we headed to extra time. And then it happened - in the 121st minute. A long goal kick went right over our whole team and Frew was left to wipe out our whole season's work. We were distraught. Stalybridge 1 Stafford 2 Attendance: 2185 MOTM: Michael Frew (Stafford Rangers) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted December 18, 2005 Share Posted December 18, 2005 Gah Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 18, 2005 Author Share Posted December 18, 2005 I know d_s There are unlikely to be any more updates to this story before the New Year as I'm going away skiing soon. Thanks for reading so far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_SAFC Posted December 31, 2005 Author Share Posted December 31, 2005 Well, after reaching the end of the season the board has decided to be a pain in the backside. An impossible wage budget means I can't do much with the squad and the game's pretty much unplayable. With a new patch released I've started a new non-story game but will start a story one in a week or so. Just so you know, the Mozambique story will continue. I'll post a end of season round-up when I have time. Thanks to everyone who has read along with this, I've certainly enjoyed writing it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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