NEW MILLS 0, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1
Manager James Kinsey declared Stalybridge Celtic are in “a very good place” after their win against New Mills in their opening pre-season friendly.
An early set-piece goal from centre back Jack Tinning was Celtic’s matchwinner as their new-look side took to the field for the first time.
Though it is early days, Kinsey is delighted with what he saw, saying: “There are a lot of changes. This is a new group, and I was happy how we performed.
“We played two different shapes and the players adapted well. They are a special group with threats from all areas and we are dangerous from set-pieces.
“We have a good core of players which we didn’t have this time last year and we are in a very good place.
“We know what went wrong last season, the club knows what went wrong as do the players. We have learned from it and are looking to push on.”
Celtics, relegated from Northern Premier League, Premier, finished last season a hugely disappointing 12th in NPL West, the lowest they have ever been in the pyramid in its present format.
Kinsley’s only criticism was his side did not convert more of the chances they created.
The only goal of the game came in the 14th minute when a long throw from Javid Swaby-Neavin was headed on by giant striker Josh Quarless for Tinning to convert from close range.
Connor Hughes went close with a couple of audacious lobs while Joe Edwards and Jack Irlam also had decent openings.
The match was switched at lunchtime to Stockport Town’s artificial surface as their re-seeded Church Lane pitch was not ready for the fixture.
The Millers, two divisions below Celtic in the pyramid, gave an excellent account of themselves.
Manager Chris Baguley, who performed the great escape to keep New Mills in North West Counties League, first division south last season – they had only one point when he took over at Christmas – looks to be building a successful side.
This was their third friendly as their league campaign kicks off a fortnight before Celtic.
“We set out our stall to be hard to beat and our work rate was excellent as we made them work hard,” he said.
“If we had scored in the first 10 minutes [Sam Deering fired agonisingly wide], it might have been a different story.
“We have recruited well and have a good nucleus from last year and I am looking to finish high up the table and will be trying to win the league.”