retired_lnspeer

England won 4-0 against Austria, ensuring their place in Germany next summer. They would be joined by Ireland, whose 2-0 win over Cyprus gave them top spot in Group 4. Wales recorded a 1-0 win in Belfast and Scotland lost to Belarus.

Walton and Hersham were rewarded for their victory with a home tie against Farnborough next round. From watching the match video, it became blatantly clear that our defeat was simply due to better finishing from the Ryman League side. I immediately looked for strikers in the transfer market to try and bolster our faltering attack. We also had our first international appearance, Simon Spender appearing in Wales U19s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Moldova. England kept up their winning run with a 4-1 win over Poland while Ireland lost 2-0 to the Swiss. Wales drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan as did Northern Ireland with Austria. And Scotland lost 2-1 to Slovenia, finishing bottom of their group.

Spender made another appearance against Russia U19s but was on the losing side once more, the Welsh losing 2-1.

Redditch United v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Hockenhull, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Hadland, Baker, Price (c), Lovell, Murray

With Spender on international duty, Hockenhull came in to fill the full back position and I continued my striker rotation by pairing Lovell and Murray. I also gave Baker his return on the left in place of Buckley. With Redditch riding top of the table, this was going to be a very tough trip.

After a good first half, we deservedly took the lead in stoppage time through a Lovell header from a corner. Late in the second half we doubled our lead, once more from a corner as Hand headed home to secure a 2-0 win.

Redditch 0 Stalybridge 2
MOTM: Peter Folkes (Stalybridge)

retired_lnspeer

I was stunned after this match when I was told we were top of the league! A point clear of 4 clubs, we had to be consistent if we were to mount a serious promotion challenge. The superb performance led me to ask for a delay on a transfer of a new striker - maybe we wouldn't need him anymore. In the FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round draw, we were handed a home tie against Team Bath. After our cup defeat, a Trophy run would be very welcome. We had no game at the weekend due to the FA Cup so the lads had a well earned rest. Our next game would be no easy task though, Northwich only in our league due to ground problems.

Stalybridge Celtic v Northwich Victoria
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Hockenhull, Griffin, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Hadland, Baker, Price (c), Lovell, Murray

I named an unchanged side for this tough visit from 3rd placed Northwich.

After 25 minutes, we took the lead through Lovell's second goal in two games. We carried this slender advantage through to half time. Just sixteen seconds into the second half it was 2-0, Ellington on target. A minute later and Allan pulled one back for the Vics, catching us unawares from the kick off. Just 5 minutes later and the scores were level thanks to Brayson. The scoreline remained unchanged as we drew 2-2.

Stalybridge 2 Northwich 2
Attendance: 1422
MOTM: Matt Garner (Northwich Victoria)

retired_lnspeer

Despite the draw, we remained top by a point. Griffin suffered a blow on the face, meaning he'd be out for a couple of weeks.

Stalybridge Celtic v Hyde United
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Hockenhull, Barnard, Folkes, Wilkinson, Hand, Hadland, Baker, Price (c), Lovell, Ellington

Ellington took Murray's place and Barnard replaced the injured Griffin for the visit of Hyde.

After just a minute Hockenhull handled in the area, giving Hyde a great chance to go in front. Dudley made no mistake and it was 1-0. Captain Price went off injured and was replaced by Banim, Lovell dropping into midfield. We went into the interval a goal down but were level soon after, Baker hitting a close range free kick into the top corner. That was matched though by Hyde's Milligan, also bending a free kick around the wall. We then lost Baker to injury, Buckley taking his place on the left. Ellington levelled after a great team move with the last goal of the game.

Stalybridge 2 Hyde 2
Attendance: 1625
MOTM: Phil Salt (Hyde United)

retired_lnspeer

Redditch moved above us as we slipped to 2nd in the table. The news on the two injuries was not good, Baker up for out to a month and Price for two, both suffering ankle injuries.

Barrow v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

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

I brought Haskins and Buckley in for the injured Baker and Price. Spender also made his return in place of Hockenhull.

On the half hour mark we took the lead, Hadland hitting a spectacular volley. Shortly after the break Barrow levelled, thanks to a Tarrant header. Barrow then lost defender Maxfield to a second yellow. We couldn't take advantage though as we drew 1-1.

Barrow 1 Stalybridge 1
MOTM: Neil Tarrant (Barrow)

retired_lnspeer

Stalybridge Celtic v Team Bath
FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round

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

Griffin recovered from injury to make this Trophy tie with Team Bath, replacing Barnard.

We got off to an awful start, not touching the ball before Sean Canham opened the scoring after 30 seconds. 1-0 down at the break, I tried to get the lads going. It looked to have had the desired effect when Lovell headed home but he was flagged for offside. With 15 minutes left, Lovell had a header which was deemed legal as we drew level. This scoreline remained meaning we would need a replay.

Stalybridge 1 Team Bath 1
Attendance: 331
MOTM: Mark Monaghan (Team Bath)

retired_lnspeer

The replay was arranged for the coming Wednesday. Simon Spender represented his country once more in a 2-1 win over Norway u19s. We were notified that a trip to Banbury United would be ahead for the winner of our replay.

Team Bath v Stalybridge Celtic
FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round Replay

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

An unchanged side for this replay, hoping my team could see off Team Bath this time.

Another awful start for us as Winter's mistake let Orhue in for the opener. Soon it was two, Canham scoring a superb long range strike. We trailed at the break and never really looked like coming back into the game, crashing out to a 2-0 scoreline.

Team Bath 2 Stalybridge 0
MOTM: Peter Adenyiyi (Team Bath)

retired_lnspeer

It was very disappointing to be out of all cup competitions but it meant we could fully focus on our league campaign. Hadland suffered a gashed arm, meaning he would be out for up to a week.

In the World Cup qualifying play-offs, the Czechs were stunned by the Turks. After a 2-0 win in Istanbul, the Czechs thought they'd done the hard work but somehow lost 7-0 in Prague. Israel defeated Russia on away goals and Serbia progressed past Norway.

Stalybridge Celtic v Workington
Nationwide Conference North

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

I made only one change for this game against struggling Workington, Hadland's injury forcing Turley to come in.

Just before the half hour, Workington went one up thanks to Farrar. Things got worse shortly before the interval, Buckley being sent off for kicking an opponent. Weller put the away side two up after the break as things looked bleak. With all hope lost, Winter made another mistake letting Archibald score the third.

Stalybridge 0 Workington 3
Attendance: 1192
MOTM: Brett Freeman (Workington)

retired_lnspeer

We dropped down to 8th after the defeat and I fined Buckley a week's pay for his violent behaviour. He was banned for a game but this was extended to three after being studied by a disciplinary committee. I also completed the signing of Scott Kerr, a central midfielder from Lincoln.

Kettering Town v Stalybridge Celtic
Nationwide Conference North

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

Hadland returned from injury in place of Turley and Kerr made his debut, replacing Haskins in the starting line up. Smith came in on the left due to Buckley's suspension.

After 10 minutes we took the lead, Kerr breaking the offside trap before his shot was saved, Lovell netting the rebound. Shortly after half time Kettering were level, slack marking allowing Townsend to equalize. They then thought they'd taken the lead but the offside flag halted their celebrations but Lennon's 82nd minute goal looked to signal defeat. It wasn't the case, as Lovell got his second to equalize late on.

Kettering 2 Stalybridge 2
MOTM: Steve Rowland (Kettering Town)

retired_lnspeer

There was an upset in the League Cup as AFC Bournemouth won 2-1 against Liverpool. I was also pleased to hear that Hand, Spender, Griffin, Wilkinson and Folkes had all signed new deals.

Stalybridge Celtic v Leigh RMI
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes (c), Wilkinson, Hand, Hadland, Smith, Kerr, Lovell, Paynter

I made only one change, Paynter getting a chance after a spell out of the team. Ellington made way.

My decision to recall Paynter seemed to work when he put the ball in the net but it was ruled out. Undeterred by this, Paynter made his next one count. We carried the lead through to the break. Despite looking comfortable with our lead, we conceded late on thanks to Rattle.

Stalybridge 1 Leigh RMI 1
Attendance: 740
MOTM: John Brackstone (Leigh RMI)

retired_lnspeer

The FA Cup 3rd Round draw threw up a few tasty ties. Arsenal were handed a trip to Liverpool and Chelsea to Upton Park. For the non-league scene, Farnborough were to host Brighton and Hereford would be travelling to Portsmout if they won their replay with Bury. The only other non-league team left in, Leyton, were a replay with Rushden away from a trip to Swindon. There was good news from the physio, Tom Baker now fit to play again.

Stalybridge Celtic v Worksop Town
Nationwide Conference North

Stalybridge - (4-1-3-2) Winter, Spender, Griffin, Folkes (c), Wilkinson, Hand, Hadland, Baker, Kerr, Lovell, Paynter

Baker's return from injury was the only change with Smith forced to the sidelines.

A mistake from Hadland in our area saw Gilkes put the away side ahead. Seconds before half time Lovell had an equalizer ruled out for offside. After the break, a superb counter attack saw Hadland equalize. Neither side could find the net again as it finished 1-1.

Stalybridge 1 Worksop 1
Attendance: 752
MOTM: Anthony Jackson (Worksop)