STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0, ABBEY HEY 1
A spectacular free kick from Carlton Norford gave Abbey Hey victory in their pre-season friendly at Stalybridge Celtic.
The 28-year-old Norford, snapped up from Abbey Avenue FC who play in the Manchester League, struck the only goal of the game at Bower Fold with 16 minutes left.
It was a magical moment for Norford, a prolific goalscorer and free-kick specialist in the lower league.
And there was a memorable celebration, a gymnastic back somersault which was just as impressive as his goal.
Abbey Hey, two divisions below Celtic in the football pyramid, were good value for their victory under new manager Chris Baguley, the former Oldham Athletic player.
This was their third pre-season match compared to Celtic’s opener, and they were clearly ahead of their opponents in preparations for their new season which kicks off a fortnight before Celtic.
New Celtic manager James Kinsey, who fielded an almost completely different line-up in each half, was satisfied with his new-look side’s first workout.
He pointed out that only three of the 21 players used had remained from last season, and Connor Leach and David Edwards had not been regulars.
Celtic also suffered a blow pre-match when key summer signing and new captain Joe Bunney pulled out with a lower back strain.
Kinsey said: “For pre-season, I am happy as this is a brand-new group and we have had only five training sessions.
“While it was about getting minutes into legs, I want us to move the ball with more purpose. It is also about getting to know each other, playing as a team and gelling.
“We have brought in some very good players – four or five have won this league. If we get them ticking, hopefully we will have a very good team.”
Kinsey, who admitted it has been a massive learning curve following his arrival from Wythenshawe Town, hinted his team building is not complete and there are likely to be further additions as well as outgoings as he fine tunes his squad.
Another bonus was the crowd of 567 which was higher than in the majority of Celtic’s competitive home games last season and far removed from previous season when friendlies have often struggled to reach three figures.
There is clearly a new buzz about the club following the summer takeover by businessmen Nigel Jones and Paul Bowden, though neither were at last night’s opening game of the new era.
Abbey Hey had the better of the opening half and two clear-cut chances as Rhys Clooney was denied by keeper Elliot Wynne who also pulled off a super stop to turn Jake Parker’s goalbound effort on to the upright.
Celtic’s one opening fell to Aaron Dwyer who was thwarted by a good block by goalkeeper Connor Baird.
An equaliser ought to have arrived midway through the second period when they had surely what will be one of the misses of the season.
Matty Bryan crossed from the right and Michael Brewster, who began his playing days at Oldham Athletic, contrived to miss an open goal.
The decisive moment came with 16 minutes left when Abbey Hey won a free kick about 25 yards out and Norford bent his effort over the defensive wall and beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Leach.