"Cor-blimey, dim the lights!" was the cry from the Stalybridge barmy army as they scrambled for their peak caps and sun shades to protect themselves from the luminous orange coloured shirts worn by the visitors, Eccleshill United, in Bridge's first home fixture of the season.
This shock tactic from Eccleshill did little to prevent Celtic from claiming all three points in an entertaining encounter at Bower Fold which was won by a moment of brilliance from striker Fabio Bembo-Leta 7 minutes before half time.
The goal was well worth the entry fee alone as Bembo-Leta raced onto a ball from Captain Marvel Louis Smith to sweep the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from an acute angle on the edge of the penalty area.
Stalybridge didn't have it all their own way though and should have gone behind on 11 minutes when a dangerous free kick was sent into the penalty area following a set piece on the right but after a good connection from an Eccleshill shirt he could only direct his header wide of the post. The effort seemed to stun Celtic into action and they nearly took the lead 10 minutes later. Jonny Morgan picked out the lively Adam Parkhouse in the penalty area from the left who narrowly missed the target with an effort from 10 yards.
Manager Steve Cross didn't have much longer to wait for his sides' opener as Bembo-Leta's pace and accuracy left Eccleshill defenders chasing dust as he fired past a helpless keeper to give his team the lead. Bridge went in search of a second as they finished the half the stronger. First, Parkhouse went close to doubling the home sides' advantage before a good Bembo-Leta effort narrowly missed the target as Stalybridge went into the break with their tails up and a goal to the good.
A well organised Eccleshill outfit emerged from the break determined to get back on level terms and could have scored on 57 minutes when a shot by the Eagles number 4 was well saved at the near post by Anthony Windle in the Stalybridge goal. Windle saved well again on 67 minutes from the edge of the area as Eccleshill pressed hard for an equaliser.
Despite the second half pressure from the Eagles it was the Bridge who should have wrapped up the victory 10 minutes from time. Bembo Lita was played clean through and with the goal at his mercy and only the goal keeper to beat he opted to round the Eccleshill's number 1, who guessed Fabio's move, instead of shooting first time.
Bridge's ball play once again impressed the home dugout following some neat passing moves as the home team calved out further chances in the closing moments. Firstly Alec Mudimu went close after some fine work by Bembo-Lita, and a good run down the right flank by lively second half sub Aaron Fleming resulted in a corner as Stalybridge rallied to put the game beyond the Eagles.
Eccleshill refused to give up and forced a corner of their own in stoppage time. The Eagles goalkeeper joined the attack in true cup final style but Windle punched the ball clear to earn Stalybridge a well deserved victory. Bembo-Leta will grab the headlines for his fine strike but Steve and Colin were also quick to heap praise on their young defence ( One 16yr old in Louis Smith, Three 17yr olds in Craig McKay, Johnny Morgan, Anthony Windle and one 18 in Tyler Cameron) who made it a difficult night for Eccleshill. Louis Smith and Tyler Cameron were formidable together in the centre, whilst Jonny Morgan looked good once again at left back. The impressive Craig McKay also put in a man of the match performance at right back with his energy and tough tackling, a display Julian Dicks would have been proud of.
Full Time: 1-0
Stalybridge team: Anthony Windle, Jonny Morgan, Tyler Cameron, Louis Smith (Capt), Craig McKay, Louis Smith, Sam Cuncliffe (Dec McNamara 40), Louis Callaghan, Alec Mudimu, Adam Parkhouse (Aaron Fleming 60), Fabio Bembo-Leta. Subs not used: Cam McKenzie.
