By Liam Price
Another Saturday and another significant game for the Dabbers, as we entertain Stalybridge Celtic at the Swansway Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Staly-n Alive
Recent form for Stalybridge has been very up and down; they have 3 wins in their last 5 games, all at home, and no back-to-back wins since November. They beat Mossley 1-0 on Monday in front of a tremendous crowd of nearly 1,500 and other recent wins have come over Widnes and Newcastle Town. Before this better run, they had gone 6 games without a win through January and February.
It’s been their games away from Bower Fold where they have struggled more in the second half of the season. They haven’t won away since a stunning 4-0 victory over Bootle on 6th January, again that’s 6 games ago. Like the Dabbers, they’ve lost at Leek and Vauxhall Motors in that time. The clean sheet they kept against Mossley was also their first since that Bootle game.
All this means that Saturday’s game is a meeting between 8th and 9th in the NPL West, the Dabbers 1 place, 1 point and 12 goal difference better off, and that all important 5th place just 2 and 3 points away, respectively (but with City of Liverpool v Bootle still to be played).
Last Time We Met
As mentioned above, no consecutive wins for Stalybridge since November, but one of those wins was against Nantwich in the reverse game. Nantwich conceded twice in injury time to see a strong position flipped on its head in a 3-2 defeat. Just like against Hednesford, there are some demons that need exorcising on Saturday. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
Aaron Dwyer remains Stalybridge’s top scorer on 18 in all competitions. He’s remained consistent scoring despite missing games at different times through suspension and injury. Jordan Burton scored the winner against Mossley on Monday, and former Dabber Joe Robbins should be in action; he’s made 19 appearances for them this season and played in that reverse game.
Match Information
Tickets as always are available online HERE, or on the gate.
There will be the opportunity for Dabbers supporters to vote for their Men’s Player and Young Player of the Season through a paper ballot in the Atherton and Assoicates Suite. The online votes for these, as well as the Women’s awards and Goals of the Season, will open on Saturday night. The paper and online votes will be combined and the winners announced at the Awards Evenings which will be confirmed soon.