ASHTON UNITED 1, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 2
Stalybridge Celtic were more comfortable winners than the scoreline suggested as they triumphed at Ashton United in the first round of the Integro League Cup.
“If I was nitpicking we were sloppy and should have scored three or four goals,” explained manager Simon Haworth.
It was the second time this season Celtic had been victorious at Hurst Cross following on from their 2-0 league victory in August.
“If anything we were more dominant than we were in the first game,” added Haworth.
Celtic’s manager rested three of the team that won dramatically 3-2 at Bamber Bridge on Saturday after being 2-0 down with three quarters of the game completed.
Stephen O’Halloran, Craig Hobson and Declan Walker were all on the bench as there were starts for Nathan Valentine, Scott Bakkor and Kallum Mantack in a game that only went ahead following a 5pm pitch inspection.
And it was the recalled Bakkor who was the star of the show scoring one goal and also providing an assist.
Bakkor was the architect of the opening goal in the 12th minute with a terrific run down the right before cutting in along the by-line and cutting the ball back for Valentine to fire home from 15 yards.
Celtic were in complete control in the opening period without being able to add to their score.
Bakkor cut in again from the right early in the second half before seeing his angled shot strike the upright while Neil Kengni forced a super save from Jon Worsnop.
Celtic were almost pegged back in one minute of madness when Josh Wilson and Liam Tomsett both struck the upright.
They survived and finally established a 2-0 lead midway through the second period when Bakkor converted a left-wing cross from Darius Osei.
Berat Jonathan Ustabasi ought to have added a third goal when he burst clean through only for Worsnop to save bravely at his feet.
There was a little anxiety in stoppage time when Ashton halved the deficit through Wilson’s penalty which was conceded by Mantack but it did not overshadow an overall dominant display from Celtic.