Stalybridge Celtic 2 Brakes 1: It’s grim up north for Leamington... when they eventually get there

Leamington’s trip to Bower Fold left them out of luck and out of pocket, writes Paul Okey.
Stefan Moore beats the despairing dives of the Stalybridge defence and goalkeeper to cut the deficit at Bower Fold last Saturday. Picture: Sally EllisStefan Moore beats the despairing dives of the Stalybridge defence and goalkeeper to cut the deficit at Bower Fold last Saturday. Picture: Sally Ellis
Stefan Moore beats the despairing dives of the Stalybridge defence and goalkeeper to cut the deficit at Bower Fold last Saturday. Picture: Sally Ellis

A nightmare journey up the M6 saw Brakes arrive five minutes after the scheduled 3pm start and sure to face league sanctions.

However, despite a foreshortened warm-up due to the 3.35pm kick-off, the visitors cannot claim to have been caught cold by their revitalised hosts, having not conceded the opening goal until the 36th minute.

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Celtic came into the game buoyed by a midweek win over Vauxhall Motors - their first for new manager Keith Briggs.

But despite some neat passing in the middle third, there was little to show for their possession in the opening ten minutes apart from a deflected shot from Lewis Hatch which proved comfortable for Tony Breeden.

At the other end, Stephan Morley drilled a free-kick in to the wall, while Ricky Johnson’s shot from a James Fry lay-off was straight at Matty Urwin in the home goal.

Johnson’s next connection was much more emphatic, volleying Lee Moore’s cross past Urwin and into the net, but the assistant linesman’s flag had already been raised.

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Celtic striker Obi Anoruo was starting to make his presence felt after an uninspiring opening and wriggled his way past Liam Daly on the byline before cutting the ball back for the onrushing Prince Haywood. The right-back took a touch before drilling in a fierce shot which Breeden got the faintest of touches to to deflect it for a corner.

From the resulting dead ball, Celtic worked a training ground move which saw Callum Warburton’s goalbound shot deflected to safety by the midriff of Stephan Morley.

With half-time on the horizon, Anoruo broke the deadlock.

The diminutive striker looked to have produced one turn too many on the edge of the box, but got a break as the ball deflected back into his path and he produced an unerring finish which left Breeden rooted to the spot.

A minute later, Brakes debutant Luke Connolly picked up an undeserved booking after appearing to win the ball cleanly from Celtic skipper Kristian Platt.

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Brakes dealt with the intial free-kick but when the ball was returned to the edge of the box, Anoruo laid it into the path of Conal Platt who stroked it into the corner of the net with Breeden again motionless.

The visitors were now wobbling and Warburton had a shot deflected for a corner, while Joel Bembo-Leta headed just wide before Lee Moore limped off for Brakes to be replaced by Josh Hawker.

Half-time allowed Leamington to regroup and they had the first chance of the second period when Haywood’s over-elaboration in the box presented a chance to Johnson, who hurriedly fired over.

As Stalybridge pressed high up the pitch, Sean McConville put a first-time shot over the bar, while at the other end, Daly was unable to guide Lee Chilton’s inviting cross on goal.

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With the game dying, Paul Holleran brought Stefan Moore on for Jake Heath and, with 15 minutes remaining, Will Green replaced Johnson, who had cut an increasingly isolated figure in the lone frontman role.

With the Brakes support cranking the volume up even further, Green was instrumental in the visitors getting back into the game.

The substitute created havoc by running straight at the heart of the Celtic defence and, after the ball had ricocheted off the heel of a defender, Moore was on hand to slot home despite Urwin getting a hand to the ball.

Brakes committed men forward in search of an equaliser and were almost caught on the counter, but Anoruo slid the ball across the face of goal when he would have been better picking out the supporting Phil Marsh.

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As the goalmouth action intensified, Urwin was grateful to hang on to a deflected shot from Chilton, while Anoruo outpaced Connolly before skimming the crossbar with a fierce shot.

However, despite Brakes piling bodies into the box as the final whistle approached, their response, much like their team coach, came too late.

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC: Matthew Urwin, Prince Haywood, Andy McWilliams, Mark Lees, Joel Bembo-Leta, Kristian Platt, Lewis Hatch (Ada m Pepper, 86), Callum Warburton, Obi Anoruo, Sean McConville, Conal Platt (Phil Marsh, 64).Subs not used: Oscar Durnin, Danny Mikuna, Anthony Windle.

BRAKES: Tony Breeden, Luke Connolly, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly, James Mace, Craig Owen, Jake Heath (Stefan Moore, 62), Ricky Johnson (Will Green, 75), Lee Chilton, Lee Moore (Josh Hawker, 45). Subs not used: Josh Green, Lewis Fenney.

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