Stalybridge Celtic

Reporter: Stalybridge Celtic
Date online: 15 February 2010

The big news this week is the appointment of Jim Harvey as manager.

This is a real coup for the club, and Jim is one of the big names in non-league management having steered Morecambe to the top of the Conference National from the Unibond, before being relieved by Sammy McIlroy, who earned promotion into League Two using Jim’s assembled squad. Jim’s next trick was to save Forest Green rovers from almost certain relegation on one of the lowest wage budgets in the Conference.

He was asked to do the same for Chester, and started well, but with the uncertainty at the Deva Stadium resigned his post. Now we have him! He took charge for the first time at Ilkeston, and though we lost there was more to Celtic than in recent weeks.

Celtic played two of the strongest defences in the league this week, starting with Workington away on a Tuesday night, never easy, and when Workington took advantage of the players still being on the bus by giving Jonny Wright the time and space in the box to choose his spot past Dave Carnell with only thirty-six seconds on the clock, it made it harder.

The Workington keeper, Tony Craig, was on sparkling form to keep Workington in the driving seat, making cracking saves from Matty Barlow and Keith Briggs in the first half, and was fortunate that both of Warren Peyton’s free kicks were wide. Right at the start of the second half, Connor Jennings had his legs taken from under him. Joe O’Neill took the penalty, but it lacked conviction, and Craig made the stop comfortably. O’Neill went close, and Barlow hit the side netting, but when Steve Woods saw red for a reckless challenge, it was game over for Celtic, and but for two wonderful saves from Dave Carnell, Gareth Arnison and Jonny Wright could have added an underserved gloss to the result in the dying minutes.

Workington’s defence is the strongest in the league, and Ilkeston’s is second strongest. However, there was an encouraging industry about Celtic, even if the end result was the same. Ilkeston had the early chances, with Gary Ricketts heading into the ground and over from close range with the net gaping before making no mistake off a corner, powering his header into the back of the net when completely unmarked. With Ilkeston relying on their defensive record, Celtic came at them, O’Neill going close, and Peyton driving very close with a strong effort.

Dave Hankin returned to form, and forced Dan Lowson, the England C-Team keeper, into a fine stop, and Keith Briggs’s snap shot from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over by Lowson. Straight from the restart, and Celtic were level through Joe O’Neill who showed bravery and strength in a diving header under pressure from a Peyton free kick slipping the ball inside the near post.

A sensational effort from Jody Banim, getting his first start, lobbing Lowson from thirty-five yards saw the Ilkeston keeper get back well and pull off what would have been the save of the match, but for one later. So it was Ilkeston who regained the lead, a touch of handball allowing Paul Dempsey to break through the Celtic defence and slot the ball past Carnell. Aware no that they couldn’t sit on the lead, Matt Godden then forced Carnell into a good stop.

Lowson’s save of the match came when Warren Peyton unleashed a rocket destined for the top corner that Lowson got a finger tip to tipping the ball out for a corner. Connor Jennings smacked the ball in, and Lowson made the save, before O’Neill turned the parry back towards goal where Rory Coleman palmed the ball clear to concede a penalty and get sent off. Andy Smart took the penalty, with plenty of power Lowson was lucky to get a touch, and unlucky that touch dropped it nicely for Smart to tap in over Lowson’s prone form.

It looked more likely that Celtic would score as we kept pouring forward looking for the winner, and in stoppage time won a corner. However, that was knocked clear, and Ilkeston went down the other end, where substitute Jack Watts evaded the challenges to grab the match winner with the last kick of the match.

Next up is Farsley Celtic, visiting the Fold in what has become a must win match for Celtic. With a new sense of belief coursing through the camp, we have a good chance of getting our season back on track.

Results for the last two games: Date Opposition H/A Result Scorers
Sat, 13th February Ilkeston Town Away 2 - 3 ONeill, Smart
Tue, 9th February Workington Away 0 - 1