Bucks Victorious In Greater Manchester

Credit: Stalybridge Celtic (LinkedIn)

By Brendan Doyle

Alan Morgan’s men come away from Bower Fold with a single early goal from Lewis Earl to claim all three points and a second consecutive league victory.

A fast start from Bootle put Stalybridge Celtic on the back foot as Joe Woolley managed to get a shot away on his weaker foot just outside the host’s area but the effort only rolled wide of the goal and out of play. Bootle managed to win a free kick down their right flank with only a small distance from the Stalybridge Celtic area which Ben Hodkinson whipped over to the back post and an unmarked Lewis Earl met the ball with a lightly hit volley which was enough to beat keeper Charlie Monks to give Bootle an early 1-0 lead.

Benni Smales Braithwaite made a successful attempt to cut in on his right foot and get a shot away but his effort didn’t phase Tony Thompson at all as the Bootle keeper safely caught the ball. Lewis Earl almost contributed to a second goal for The Bucks as his low driven ball into the box was met by defender Jack Byrne’s interception which keeper Charlie Monks had to get down and keep out of the net and put it behind for a corner.

Bootle yet again won a set piece in a similar angle to which they went onto to take lead from earlier on in the half, Jack Lenehan lofted ball over to the back post which Tom Hannigan met with a header but the ball was just too high for Hannigan to get it on target as the effort went over the crossbar. The first half would end 1-0 to Bootle after a solid performance throughout the forty five minutes.

With twelve minutes into the second half, Lewis Earl almost grabbed a brace as he got his head to a ball floated in from a Jack Lenehan set piece and despite the clean connection on the ball with his head, it was straight at Charlie Monks who caught the ball without having to move an inch of his stance. Ethan Goldbourne found himself one on one with Charlie Monks after making the run from left back but unfortunately Goldbourne couldn’t get a strong enough shot away with his weaker foot.

Stalybridge Celtic soon started to knock on the door for an equaliser as a ball was whipped in by Ellis Horan which Brandon Newall managed to get a head to Tony Thompson was there to rescue any potential danger. Courtney Duffus made his return from injury after entering the pitch for Dior Angus and after a brilliant passage of play from Bootle, Duffus hit home a first time effort which flew into the back of the net sending the Bootle fans wild but the linesman put his flag up for offside.

Courtney Duffus once again had a chance to score on his return after winning a battle against Stalybridge Celtic skipper Liam Tongue but Charlie Monks once again got a hand to the effort. Other substitute Will Russ cut in from the left hand side and made a shot to the top far corner but yet again Charlie Monks prevented a second goal.

The match ended 1-0 to Bootle and made it two consecutive wins, Stalybridge Celtic certainly made Alan Morgan’s men work for their victory as they put up a fight in the second half and look very threatening at times. The fact that Stalybridge Celtic had only lost once at Bower Fold prior to our fixture, says that there is signs of huge improvement lately from the lads, it was also great to see the big man Courtney Duffus come off the bench after being out injured and he looked like he’d never been away after neutralising Liam Tongue who had been a thorn in Bootle’s side at the back all afternoon until Courtney entered the field.

Final Score: Stalybridge Celtic 0-1 Bootle