retired_lnspeer

I was pleased with the news that Baker was now fit to play and he would be returning next game. I was unsure which winger would make way though. Also returning was Simon Spender, his thigh no longer causing him problems.

Harrogate Town v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-4-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Haran, Wilkinson, Baker, Buckley, Haskins, Price (c), Ellington, Paynter

I chose Baker ahead of Hadland as we went into this game at 2nd placed Harrogate. They were unbeaten and were sure to give us a tough game.

Harrogate hit the bar early on but had it gone in, it would've been disallowed for offside. With 10 minutes to go before half time, Paynter headered us ahead. Shortly after the break, Baker made it two, before being brought off after picking up a knock. Harrogate threw everything forward as they looked to get back into the game but a goalkeeping mistake allowed substitute Lovell to get his first goal as we won 3-0.

Harrogate 0 Stalybridge 3
MOTM: Neil Wilkinson

retired_lnspeer

The result took us up to 3rd in the table, one of only two unbeaten sides in the league. Tom Baker had suffered a nasty gash on his arm but should be fit for the next match, with a break for an international duty.

The Champions League group stage was drawn. Champions Liverpool had a reasonably easy group, Anderlecht being the main threat. Group H pitted Chelsea against Barcelona once more while Man United faced the challenges of Lyon and Ajax. Arsenal would be involved in a Battle of Britain with Rangers, though both would struggle to go through together if Juventus had anything to do with it.

I announced a new signing as the transfer window closed for the leagues above. Glenn Murray was a useful striker who would most likely become a first team regular.

It was international weekend as several nations looked to keep up their hopes of making World Cup 2006. England came from behind to beat Wales 2-1, Scotland went down 1-0 to an injury time winner from Italian defender Fabian Cannavaro. The Northern Irish won 3-0 at home against the Azeris. There were no real eye openers among the other fixtures, though Russia needed an 88th minute winner to see off Liechtenstein 3-2.

I received positive news regarding Jamie Hand. He was now back in full training and couldn't wait to get back playing matches again.

In midweek, England moved ever nearer to the World Cup with a 3-0 win in Northern Ireland. The Welsh had an excellent result with a 2-1 win in Poland and Ireland had a fantastic 2-0 victory over the French. And Scotland lost 3-0 to Norway.

Stalybridge Celtic v Lancaster City
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Haran, Wilkinson, Hand, Price (c), Baker, Buckley, Paynter, Ellington

I brought Hand back into the starting line-up in place of Haskins, including a slight formation change. Glenn Murray was nursing a thigh strain and wasn't yet ready to play. Lancaster were also doing well, just one place below us in the league.

The first half was a dull affair, Lancaster having the slightly better of the game. We took the lead in the second half, Griffin's free kick finding Baker unmarked in the area to slot home. Shortly after it was two, Ellington completed a swift counter attack. With minutes remaining, Black's header gave Lancaster hope. Despite this, we held on for a 2-1 win that took us to the top of the table.

Stalybridge 2 Lancaster 1
Attendance:568
MOTM:Neil Wilkinson

retired_lnspeer

We found out after the game that captain Chris Price had damaged his heel and would be spending a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

Worcester City v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Haran, Wilkinson, Hand, Haskins, Baker, Buckley, Paynter (c), Ellington

I brought Haskins in place of Price for this match against struggling Worcester.

The first half saw some good saves from both keepers as it finished 0-0. A shocking goalkeeping mistake saw us fall behind early on in the second, Wilkinson's backpass evading Winter enough for O'Connor to put the ball into the empty net. We couldn't find an equalizer as we crashed to our first defeat of the season.

Worcester 1 Stalybridge 0
MOTM: Chris Breach (Worcester City)

retired_lnspeer

James Winter had received a nasty blow to the head during the match and was likely to miss a few games recovering. The result meant we were now 3rd, though level top on points.

On the Monday, I made a trip down to London to see family as well as attending the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Draw at Soho Square. With our finances not as good as one would like, a cup run could bring in some cash. I wanted a home tie and was rewarded with a visit from Berkhamsted Town. I whacked the name into Google and found that they were struggling at the bottom of Southern League, Division One East. Confident of progression, I went home a happy manager. The game would be played on the coming Saturday.

Ahead of the cup tie, we were boosted by the returns of both Glenn Murray and Peter Folkes from injury.

Stalybridge Celtic v Berkhamsted Town
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round

Paul Pettinger came into the side in place of James Winter and Peter Folkes replaced Mark Haran in the back four. Glenn Murray also made his debut in place of Lee Ellington.

After 30 minutes, the game's first real chance came as Buckley headered against the bar. It was goalless at the interval. We put Berkhamsted under heavy pressure throughout the second half but weren't rewarded, the game finishing 0-0, meaning we were off for a replay at their place.

Stalybridge 0 Berkhamsted 0
Attendance: 780
MOTM: Mark Rutherford (Berkhamsted Town)

retired_lnspeer

Chris Price recovered from his heel injury to participate fully in training. I was also informed that if we won our replay, we would face the winners of the replay between Walton & Hersham and Bishop's Stortford. I was hoping for the former of these teams, having played against Walton many times at junior level. Our league match with Moor Green had to be rearranged due to our replay.

Berkhamsted Town v Stalybridge Celtic
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Price (c), Baker, Buckley, Paynter, Murray

Price returned in centre midfield for this game, resuming his role as captain.

Berkhamsted had the better of the first half, Pettinger's saves ensuring we went in at half time level. The second half was drab to say the least and we went to extra time. Amazingly, something actually interesting happened as Berkhamsted defender Gary Hallam was sent to the stands for a professional foul on Paynter. Eventually, the match headed to penalties. My team weren't the best at penalties and I wasn't confident ahead of the shootout.

The home side would shoot first and Baker fired well wide. Hand converted to make it 1-0 to us. The opposition goalkeeper Bruce then scored and Wilkinson missed, levelling it up. Fox then shot well wide for Berkhamsted while Price fired straight at the keeper. Talbot's penalty was Chris Waddlesque while Buckley's wasn't much better. Taylor fired well wide meaning Griffin had the chance to put us through - he hit the bar. Sudden death it was. Brockett fired high over the bar while Baker hit it. Wignall was nearer the moon than the goal. Lovell then stepped up and unlike so many before him, had the ability to put the ball in the net. A shocking display of penalty taking but it was the result that mattered - we were through.

Berkhamsted 0 Stalybridge 0 (Stalybridge won 2-1 on penalties)
MOTM: Matthew Connolly (Berkhamsted Town)

retired_eneko5613

Good start \o/ I have a soft spot for Stalybridge, and might even get round to reposting my unfinished Stalybridge CM01/02 epic eventually...

retired_brinker317

\o/

Nice start Macca :thup:

retired_lnspeer

Thanks Gricehead and d_s

Walton and Hersham had won their replay and would be hosting us in the next round. It was a good chance for me to visit my childhood home in Guildford as well as see how Woking were getting on.

James Winter's gash on his head had healed, meaning he was available for our next game.

Alfreton Town v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Price (c), Baker, Buckley, Paynter, Ellington

Winter came back in and Ellington took Murray's place after a couple of poor performances in front of goal.

Despite Alfreton being well on top for most of the first half, we went in goalless at the interval. With little signs of improvement I brought Lovell and Murray on to try and bring some fitter legs into the attack. It didn't get the required result as we drew 0-0.

Alfreton 0 Stalybridge 0
MOTM: Ryan Clarke (Alfreton)

retired_lnspeer

A strong challenge had left Tom Baker with a bruised rib, ruling him out for up to a week. Next up was our rearranged fixture with Moor Green.

Stalybridge Celtic v Moor Green
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Price (c), Hadland, Buckley, Lovell, Ellington

After three games without scoring, I decided to give Lovell a chance to impress, replacing Paynter in the starting line up. Hadland also came in for the injured Baker.

After 8 minutes we fell behind to a dreadful error from Winter, losing the ball to Davis outside the area. After the break we were level, Hadland breaking our scoring duck. Neither side could do enough to win the game as it finished 1-1.

Stalybridge 1 Moor Green 1
Attendance: 959
MOTM: Phil Midworth (Moor Green)

retired_lnspeer

Walton & Hersham v Stalybridge Celtic
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Price (c), Hadland, Buckley, Lovell, Ellington

I named an unchanged side for the cup tie with Walton. With the home crowd behind them, Walton were bound to give us trouble so I took the game seriously.

Despite pressuring the home side early on, we fell behind to a fluke goal from Savage. It got worse as Griffin turned a corner into his own net. Deep into first half stoppage time, Edgar made it 3-0. How on earth could we pull this one around? I switched to a 3-5-2 with Lovell dropping back and Murray coming on for Wilkinson in a bid to be more attacking. And it didn't work, as Riddell made it 4-0. This was the final score. I was absolutely furious at the team and made sure they knew this. I'd never felt so humiliated and told the team they better start bucking their ideas up or they were out.

Walton & Hersham 4 Stalybridge 0
MOTM: Ryan Bell (Walton & Hersham)