By Liam Price, photo by Jonathan White
The Dabbers have a Halloween trip to Stalybridge to look ahead to on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Boo-wer Fold
Stalybridge are under new management. Dave Jones (not the ex-Cardiff one, or the Sky presenter) took charge a couple of weeks ago after a successful spell as Atherton LR boss and has a win and a draw in his 2 games so far.
Before that, captain Liam Tongue did very well in temporary charge again, winning both his games, surely marking him as a future full time Celtic manager once he decides to call time on his playing career.
So the overall form since Jon Macken left the club is 3 wins and a draw, all 3 of those wins coming at home against Kidsgrove, Stafford, and Prescot, who they beat 4-3 with Tongue getting 2 goals including the winner.
The upturn in form has lifted them to 10th in the table, just ahead of the Dabbers and 3 points off the play-offs.
Last Time We Met
The last game between the Dabbers and Stalybridge in January was most significant for being Luke Goddard’s first as Nantwich manager. The game itself was very forgettable as a 0-0 draw.
The Dabbers have lost the last 3 times we’ve travelled to Bower Fold by scorelines of 3-2, 4-2 and 3-2. The way the Dabbers and Stalybridge are both scoring and conceding goals this season it wouldn’t be a bad prediction for a similar sort of result here.
Players to Watch
Tongue has 5 goals in total this season and has scored against the Dabbers before.
Lewis Rawsthorn is back at Celtic after a spell at Bury and scoring freely again, joint top scorer this season for them with 6. He got 2 in one game against Nantwich 2 seasons ago at Bower Fold. The other player with 6 is Jack Irlam.
Ex-Dabber Mike Koral is a part of the defence these days. And they have new signings Tunde Bayode and Harvey Brookes ready to make their debuts on Saturday.
Match Information
Tickets are £12 for adults and £10 for concessions, plus a variety of cheaper prices for younger ages. They are available on the gate or online HERE.
It is accessible via public transport, change trains at Manchester Piccadilly and then a short bus or a half hour walk to the stadium.