Celtic first team to beat Witton at Wincham Park

Witton Albion conceded their first league goal at Wincham Park and suffered their first home league defeat of the 2019-20 campaign as they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Stalybridge Celtic.

After an energy-sapping extra-time fixture in the FA Cup in midweek, manager Carl Macauley freshened things up a little with a couple of changes to the starting line-up. Will Jones returned after injury kept him out of the Belper Town replay, while new signing MJ Monaghan came in for his debut after joining the club this week.

There were early chances at both ends as the game began at some pace.

Danny McKenna tested Stalybridge's young goalkeeper Alex Fojticek, on loan from Manchester United, with a powerful shot from 12 yards only to see the custodian make a good save to turn the ball around the post.

At the other end, Chris Renshaw was alert to make a routine save from a 20-yard effort which was straight at him.

Soon after, good play by new boy Monaghan set up an opportunity for Will Jones, racing in on goal, he took a heavy touch which narrowed the angle but he sent an effort on target which Fojticek palmed away.

Liam Goulding fired over following a left wing corner while Billy Smart got his head on the end of a ball to the back post, unable to control his effort which landed on the roof of the net.

The visitors came into the game more as the half grew to its end. Darius Osei did well to wiggle his way into a shooting opportunity only for a deflected effort to hit the side netting, while Ross Dent fired a low effort from distance just wide.

Celtic striker Craig Hobson couldn't direct a header on target on 42 minutes, before another great save by Fojticek prevented Albion from breaking the deadlock, producing a fingertip stop to deny Monaghan.

Early in the second half, McKenna struck a shot from the edge of the penalty area straight at the Stalybridge shot-stopper while Nathan Valentine went close with an effort over the bar from 18 yards.

The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes as the visitor's took the lead. The ball was fired low into the six yard box and Hobson was on hand to steer it home from close range.

The home side had Renshaw to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 as he produced a number of excellent saves to keep Celtic at bay.

An outstretched hand turned away a header by Ross Dent, he then kept out a 25-yard free kick from Declan Walker before another save at full-stretch to deny Osei.

Albion's best chance of an equaliser came in injury time. Liam Goulding getting on the end of a ball forward but his low shot was met with a good save by Fojticek.

Renshaw produced another excellent save deep in stoppage time to keep out a Scott Bakkor effort following a quick counter attack.

So Witton suffer their first home defeat of the season. There's no time to dwell on the result, as we have another home game against Lancaster City on Tuesday night.

Witton Albion: 1 Chris Renshaw, 2 Cesaire Lingouba (James Murray 69'), 3 James Short, 4 Josh Wardle , 5 Adam Anson , 6 Liam Goulding , 7 Danny McKenna, 8 Billy Smart (Jack Byrne 64'), 9 MJ Monaghan (Ryan O'Hare 75'), 10 Will Jones, 11 Tom Owens.
Subs: 14 Stefan Sorensen, 17 Ryan Neild.

Stalybridge Celtic: 1 Alex Fojticek, 2 Declan Walker, 3 Kallum Mantack, 4 Ross Dent , 5 Mark Lees, 6 Chris Smalley (Steve O’Halloran 80'), 7 Jonathan Ustabasi , 8 Nathan Valentine, 9 Craig Hobson (Tony Whitehead 76'), 10 Darius Osei, 11 Harry Freedman (Scott Bakkor 64').
Subs: 15 Liam MacDevitt, 17 Jack O’Leary.