By Liam Price
We go again for Stalybridge on Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off) after the previous game was called off in November.
Be Stayl My Beating Heart
Stalybridge are on a run of 4 wins from their last 6 league games after a bit of a patchy spell before what would have been the last date that this game would have been played on. They beat Darlaston 3-2 at the weekend and have also got recent wins over Runcorn, Wythenshawe Town and Newcastle.
A very good early spell in the season means that that rocky patch didn’t hurt them too much and the return to form has left them 8th in the NPL West, but it is extremely tight currently with just 4 points separating 3rd and 10th in the table.
Only Lower Breck and Vauxhall have scored more goals than their 38 in 20 games. The home form at Bower Fold is solid as it always seems to be, with 7 wins and 2 defeats from 9 games there. Their 6 defeats away from home are the most in the top 15 of the table and seems to be what is currently stopping them being an undisputed play-off contender.
Last Time We Met
In March, Stalybridge inflicted a 4-2 defeat on the Dabbers at Bower Fold, with highlights below.
One of either Nantwich or Stalybridge have scored 4 goals or more in 5 of the last 7 meetings between the pair. So expect goals! Nantwich haven’t won away at Stalybridge since September 2022.
Players to Watch
Ruben Jerome got 5 goals in one extraordinary game against Trafford earlier this season and scored at the weekend as well.
Before Saturday, Andy Scarisbrick had scored in 3 games on the spin from midfield, a little like Conor Harwood on Saturday he’ll be well worth keeping an eye on.
Liam Tongue scored a free kick in that last meeting and has been among the goals this season. And other recent goalscorers have been Max Leonard and Jack Irlam.
Last but not least, former Dabber Mike Koral will be at right back for Celtic after moving there from Witton in the summer.
Match Information
Tickets are £12 for adults and £10 for concessions; at the time of writing it looks like they aren’t available online so it’ll be on the gate only.
Bower Fold is found quickest via the M6, M56 and M60. It’s a familiar location for a lot of Dabbers fans by now so we look forward to seeing you there!