Stalybridge Celtic bow out of the FA Trophy

Fresh off an emphatic 4-0 win over Witton Albion last time out, Stalybridge Celtic were looking to make it through to the next round of the FA Trophy on Saturday (23 September) when they faced Avro at the Vestacare Stadium.

Both sides went into the game level on points with each other in the Northern Premier League West with Avro in third and Stalybridge Celtic in second, on goal difference. Avro were victorious in the last league meeting between the sides back in August, winning 3-2 in what was an extremely tight game.

Celtic started Saturday’s game like a team out for revenge, putting the side from Oldham under pressure from minute one. A ball in behind the Avro back four set Matty Bryan away before he was dragged down cynically by defender Deane Smalley, who was perhaps fortunate to only receive a yellow card for what looked like it could have been the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Moments later Celtic had the right to feel aggrieved yet again, when Bryan was brought down by Smalley for a second time, which seemed like a stonewall penalty, but the ref saw nothing doing and waved play on.

James Kinsey’s men continued to dominate the ball but were unable to create any meaningful opportunities except a half-volley from the edge of the box, which Jordan Burton fired high and wide. Then came half-time.

Hosts Avro started the second half much better and grew into the game, creating a couple of opportunities from set-pieces, but could not manage to find a way past the Celtic defence. Arguably the best chance of the second half fell to visitors Celtic, who released forward Matty Bryan down the right-hand side, who cut the ball back perfectly to the onrushing Max Harrop, but the ex-Curzon and Ashton United man’s shot lacked conviction and fell straight into the hands of Grant Shenton in the Avro goal.

With neither team able to break the deadlock after 90 minutes, the match went to penalties.

Celtic won the toss and chose to take first, with Max Harrop kicking off the shootout, making up for his earlier miss and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. After two penalties each, the score was level at 2-2, and up stepped Celtic defender Jai Curran-Nicholls. The Australian international’s penalty was a tame one, which was easily kept out by Shenton, who gave his side the upper hand. Joe Rathbone then converted for The Ro’s, and when ex-Ashton United captain Michael Brewster missed his kick, Avro defender Dean Smalley had the chance to win it. He made no mistake, sending Hewitson the wrong way and ensuring his side's place in the FA Trophy 3^rd Qualifying Round, where they will face Warrington Town.

A tough one to take for James Kinsey and his team, who will feel certain decisions could have gone their way on another day. Next up for them in the league is an away trip to Runcorn Linnets on Saturday.