Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic based in Greater Manchester and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One West.
A visit here as been a long time in the making with plenty of other opportunities and also a strong recommendation to visit on a Saturday but I’m finally going to see it on a Tuesday night for the visit of City of Liverpool.
So it’s on to the A57 and through Snake Pass, through Glossop and into Stalybridge with around 40 minutes until kick off. £12 to watch this tie! Steeeeep! The fans are gathering and they have a drum!
Out come the teams to a banging drum! A lot louder than the usual drum! Stalybridge Celtic vs City of Liverpool! Manchester vs Liverpool! Here we go again!
Kick Off! “Hail Hail the Celts are here! What the hell do we care? Because it’s a grand old team to play for!” Stalybridge fans in great spirits so far!
8 minutes in and Stalybridge come forward, Darius Osei is played in behind and he’s onside, he gets into the box it’s a tight angle… BUT HE’S DONE IT!! Great finish and what a start for Stalybridge!! 1-0!
15th minute and Stalybridge hit a long ball into the box and it falls nicely for Obua… He’s missed it! Big chance there for Stalybridge to double their advantage!
As the first half draws on, City of Liverpool are looking more and more threatening… 32 minutes now and they have a corner, in it comes… It’s pinball on the line… The Referee has blown… It’s a penalty! Was it a handball? There’s no Red Card but it will be a Penalty. Quarless takes… And scores! It’s 1-1!
5 minutes later and Liverpool have another corner, in it comes again… The header… IT’S THERE! THEY’VE GOT ANOTHER ONE!! City of Liverpool have turned this game on it’s head! 1-2!
Into stoppage time in the first half now and Stalybridge have a corner, in it comes… Headed back to the taker and it’s played back in… IT’S COME OFF A DEFENDER AND GONE IN!! Stalybridge fans go crazy again! It’s an Own Goal and Stalybridge are level! And that is how it stayed at half time.
Second half, a very quiet second half with little chances for either side…… An injury to a Stalybridge player that will be stretchered off… That’s not good! But it’s not drowning the spirits of the Stalybridge faithful!
76th minute and Stalybridge have a free kick on the left, in it comes… A free header… IT’S THERE!! Connor O’Grady heads Stalybridge into the lead and the fans go wild!!! 3-2!
2 minutes later and Stalybridge are looking for more, Aaron Dwyer has beaten the Offside trap and he’s in inside the box… AND HE SCORES!!! SMASH & GRAB!!! IT’S FOUR FOR STALYBRIDGE!! 4-2!
City of Liverpool shellshocked but they are pressing to get back into this game… But Stalybridge hold on and claim a massive win!
FT: Stalybridge Celtic 4-2 City of Liverpool
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – Rocking throughout!!!
- The Ground: 10/10 – Fabulous ground! Stands at each stand, bags of character and far too good for the level!
- Expense: 10/10 – Whilst £12 is a bit steep for this level, it was worth it tonight!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – Absolutely loved it! A great game and experience with the Stalybridge faithful!
40/40! – UNREAL!!