STOCKPORT TOWN 1, PRESTWICH HEYS 1
Striker George Kattah has hit the ground running for Stockport Town after his summer move from Droylsden.
The 20-year-old scored his sixth goal in only five appearances in the Lions’ 1-1 draw against Prestwich Heys in North West Counties Football League, Premier.
And player-manager Paul Turnbull is delighted with his capture as proven strikers are a prized commodity and in short supply.
Turnbull said: “George is an exciting player and, importantly, wants to learn. He is enjoying his football and getting his just rewards.
“He is a good kid who has all the attributes to be a top striker – works hard, has pace, holds up the ball well, good in the air and can find the net.”
Kattah has played youth team football for Rochdale and Hyde United and had spells at Runcorn Town, West Didsbury & Chorlton, Sandbach United, Wythenshawe Town and Droylsden before arriving in Woodley.
Town, who kicked off in third place, came from behind to earn a draw which makes it seven points from a possible 12 so far – a win would have put them joint top.
Turnbull thought his side deserved three points based on chances created and territory his team had.
But they were let down by poor delivery into the box with Kattah having to feed off scraps.
“Yes, we need to work on the final ball, but we are not far from being a very good side,” he said.
It was a hard-fought scrap as evidenced by the walking wounded as a number of players limped from the ground.
Heys, who had picked up only one point from their first three league games, took a 12th minute lead when Robert Worrall fired high into the net after capitalising on a defensive mix-up.
And it might have got worse when Town’s defence was carved open again as Takura Sambizi was left unmarked but shot against the upright.
It took Town more than half an hour before creating their first clear-cut chance when Josh Fowles was brilliantly denied by keeper Lee White.
Town found the perfect time to equalise on the stroke of half time when Fowles slipped a pass from the right to Kattah who fired home at the near post and was clattered doing to, needing treatment.
The second half proved to be a battle of attrition as both sides essentially cancelled out each other.
Fowles had a great chance to give Town the lead but blazed over from a great position while for Heys a dipping drive from Dre Taylor struck the crossbar.
And the general consensus at the end was that a share of the spoils was the right result/