STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1, ATHERTON COLLIERIES 0
Benni Smales-Braithwaite made a dream impact as Stalybridge Celtic’s super-sub in their home victory against Atherton Collieries.
The striker, who was a youth player at Manchester City and professional at Southampton and Barrow, scored with his first touch which turned out to be the matchwinner as Celtic made it four points from a possible six in Pitching In Northern Premier League, West after Saturday’s draw at Vauxhall Motors.
Smales-Braithwaite was one of three changes made by manager Jon Macken after an hour and he was immediately on target at the far post to convert low cross from Liam Tongue.
Macken also brought on Ruben Jerome and Ellis Horan and the three players transformed Celtic as an attacking force – in the opening hour Celtic were rock solid defensively but carried no threat up front.
The changes provided an energy and drive which Celtic lacked and in the last half hour they could have won by a wider margin.
“As a manager, you have a squad for a reason,” said Macken. “You want players to come off the bench and have an impact.
“It was really pleasing that all three lads who came on played a part for the goal.”
Macken described it as a solid all-round performance against Michael Clegg’s Colliers.
“They are a very good side – physical, technically good and will cause teams a lot of problems,” he continued.
Macken added it has been a difficult start – they host Bury in the FA Cup on Saturday – but both performances have been good.
“I thought we were unfortunate not to pick up three points on Saturday but, overall, we have to be happy with the start we have made,” he continued.
The opening period was hard fought but there was a lack of quality in the last third from both sides.
Collieries’ captain Joe Piggott had a free header but could only direct it straight at keeper Charlie Monks.
Celtic centre back Jack Byrne’s looping header from Jordan Butterworth’s corner was cleared off the line.
Former Celtic player Aaron Dwyer had a header shovelled to safety by Monks early in the second half which only ignited once the changes were made.
Once Smales-Braithwaite, who has also played professional football in Denmark and the Faroe Islands, had put Celtic ahead, they looked a completely different team with Smales-Braithwaite and Jerome continually tearing through the visiting defence.
Soon after the goal, there was a strong shout for a penalty after Jerome looked to be clearly pulled back as he burst into the penalty area.
Byrne headed over from a corner, Jerome wriggled free only to shoot weakly at keeper Conor Robson, left back Kyle Brownhill saw a cross land on top of the crossbar while in stoppage time Smales-Braithwaite cut in along the by-line before seeing his fiercely struck angled shot beaten behind for a corner by Robson.