When the fixtures came out, I think many saw us having a tough start to the campaign and would certainly have seen this fixture as potentially providing a good return for us. Looking at the fledgling League table how wrong we were as we lie second from bottom and Stalybridge lie second. Already this season we have seen some quirks in the league format having played two long distance Saturday away games and two midweek home fixtures, while Stalybridge’s four games has seen 3 home games and one away game. With a return of two wins and a draw at home and a draw away (0-0) they lie second to Gainsborough. Hopefully a few more games will see things balance out and we start to climb the table.
Last season, both games saw 2-0 home wins, so we would certainly like to see a repeat of that. Season 2017/18 was Stalybridge’s first season back in the Northern Prem following relegation from the National League North, and they struggled throughout finishing 22nd which, in a normal season, would have seen them suffer a further relegation.
While Steve will be renewing former acquaintances, a former player may be in the Celtic ranks, as Niall Flint makes a brief return to Marston Road. We picked up Niall from Matlock but things did not work out and he moved on.
Stalybridge should bring a few fans along as they have subsidised coach fares for away games so lets hope our fans can come out in force on Saturday for the 3pm kick off, and be on song to see our first win of the season.
