By Liam Price
After exiting the Cheshire Cup in midweek, the Dabbers turn attention back to the league on Saturday (3pm kick-off) as we welcome Stalybridge Celtic to the Swansway Stadium.
Stayl Another Day
This game sees the sides currently 3rd and 5th in the PitchingIn NPL West take each other on. Stalybridge are four points behind the Dabbers and have played 2 games more.
Their most recent games have seen a draw with Wythenshawe, defeat to Congleton and a win over Macclesfield in midweek in the Cheshire Senior Cup. The game at Nantwich will be their 4th consecutive away game.
Stalybridge’s away record is the worst in the top half of the table, 2 wins, 2 draws and 5 defeats from 9 games (Wythenshawe have the same number of points but from fewer games). Overall, they have scored exactly the same number of goals than the Dabbers but conceded 7 more (with the two extra games played).
Appointed late in October, their new manager is Jon Macken, who comes in off the back of a good spell at Witton and previous promotion with Radcliffe. His record is 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat so far. Before that, they temporarily had player Liam Tongue in charge. Had he held on to this game, there would have been the prospect of two 27-year-old managers on the touchline, with Tongue the slightly younger man. A combined manager age of 54 would surely have been some kind of record low.
Last Time We Met
The last game between the two was certainly eventful in April, with the Dabbers taking a 3-0 lead at half-time, going up to 4-0 before Stalybridge pulled back 2 late goals for a 4-2 win. Courtney Meppen-Walters’ low free kick was the pick of the goals. Highlights below.
Players to Watch
As well as being briefly the manager, captain Liam Tongue is also Celtic’s top scorer and appearance maker this season, with 7 goals in 21 games in all competitions. It’s not even 2025 but it’s surely already the most memorable season of his career so far.
The man scoring most recently, however, is Joe Duckworth. He’s scored in the last 4 games he’s played for Stalybridge. The last time the Dabbers faced a player on that kind of run (Mason Fawns at Mossley), he scored the winner so Nantwich will be looking to avoid that fate again this time.
Javid Swaby-Neavin was sent off in their last league game so should be suspended for this one. Macken brought back midfielder Brandon Newell to the club this week, after he played under him at Witton last season.
Match Information
Tickets are available online HERE or with cash/card on the gate. Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead.
Please use the parking at the stadium if possible. If on street parking is needed, please be respectful to residents.
Before Saturday’s game there will be our Remembrance Weekend commemorations, with the Last Post played and a minute’s silence before kick-off. Supporters are advised to be in place earlier than normal to join us in this period of remembrance.
After the game, from 7pm in the Atherton & Associates Function Room/bar, is our annual NTISA Race Night to raise money for our supporters’ association. Entry is £3 and all bets on the races are £1 (both cash only). The entry price includes a race card and food from the Tea Lounge. See you there!