LIVERSEDGE 0, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1
Stalybridge Celtic’s second league win of their Northern Premier League season at Liversedge encapsulated the early part of their campaign.
New manager Chris Willcock has already built a team with solid foundations as this was a third clean sheet in the last four premier division matches in which they are unbeaten.
They have conceded only four goals in their six league games, and the latest shutout was even more commendable with Kyle Harrison, usually a right back, playing centre of defence in the injury-enforced absence of Louis Danquah and departure of Harli Dewhurst.
Willcock admitted his side remains work in progress, especially at the opposite end of the pitch where they have scored only three goals in those games.
He is looking for “creative players”, explaining he had missed out on a couple of players.
In saying that, the match-winning goal at Liversedge was wonderfully created and executed.
A cross from the right was quickly helped on by Raul Correia to Matty Liptrott who was free on the left edge of the penalty area.
The teenage Liptrott, recently released by Blackpool, bent home a delightful shot low to the left of goalkeeper Jordan Porter.
Celtic took to the field in Cleckheaton with a patched-up side without the injured Danquah, Cameron Darkwah and Harry Benns while Tom Miller was absent having hours earlier become a father for the second time.
And to add to their woes, they lost Osebi Abadaki after only 11 minutes through injury.
In an opening period of few chances, Liversedge went closest to scoring when Nathan Cartman was denied by a breathtaking save from Greg Hall.
Cartman’s curled effort was heading for the top corner with Hall seemingly beaten until his fingertips deflected the ball on to the crossbar.
Hall also made a smart stop to keep out a header from Kurt Harris while for Celtic Correia fired narrowly wide.
Liptrott made the breakthrough for Celtic midway through the second half in what was never going to be a high-scoring affair.
In the last quarter, Liversedge had a couple of decent goal attempts as James Hurtley headed into the side netting from a corner while Cartman’s flying header flashed past the upright.