Stalybridge Celtic v Witton Albion

Yet another camera crisis today – taking pictures at work, when the lens just refused to come out !! “Focus Error” was the message. Once again we have to hand out the bouquets to Argos in Stockport who – for the second time in about a month – replaced with no questions asked. Still it makes everything that much later having to nip in there on the way home from work so it was a question of home at 1830 – “Hello dear” – “Goodbye dear” and back out to Stalybridge on the 1857 (the “hello/goodbye” routine was also played out at 0715 in the morning – routine/rut call it what you will !

To football – my notes tell me that Witton certainly had the better of the few chances in the first half – a header glanced wide, a free-kick cleared off the line to name but two. What did surprise me, having watched Witton earlier this season against Mossley, was how quick, and direct Witton were. They passed to feet with quick one/two touch stuff and made Celtic look slow and clumsy at times. Still it was 0-0 at half-time.



It might have only been 173 - but Witton brought a few !

It was time for tea early in the second half.. However in the time it takes to dispense a hot dog, Witton took the lead (saw it out of the corner of my eye). On their first half shows, to me, no more than they deserved. Less than ten minutes later it was 2-0 as Gaghan scored his second of the night.



Witton Assistant Benny Phillips - ex-Mossley and ex-Stalybridge of course.

Then – a substitution after a lengthy stop for a clash of heads (during this lull I even managed a quick chat with Witton Assistant Benny Phillips who I’ve known from his days as Mossley Manager back in the 20th Century (!) – and had time to compliment him on his team’s performance) . Fish came on and almost immediately got involved up front, linking well with Ellington before getting Celtic back in the game with just under 10 minutes to go. Witton were now visibly tiring, and it was Celtic who were playing the quick/direct/slick stuff that Witton had displayed earlier. Several chances came and went including a shout for a penalty close to the end – but despite five minutes additional time, Celtic were unable to pull it out of the fire.



Another chance goes begging near the end.

One of those days I guess – number of times I’ve seen Mossley give the opposition 45 minutes start this season – tonight Celtic left it until the last 15 before they came alive – and by then it was too late. I’m sure people will say “It’s only the Cheshire Senior Cup” – but silverware is silverware, and a good cup run is often the catalyst for a good run in the league. Celtic were not at full strength admittedly – Sykes at number 5 – that was a wrong ‘un for me (now he IS a catalyst !),

Another point – a crowd of 173 – I hope the “stay aways” enjoyed Man United’s humiliation on the box – I know what sort of football I’d rather be watching – and I was.