Celtic academy's FA Youth Cup journey was brought to an end at Bowerfold on Thursday night as they went down by three goals to nil against an excellent Chester FC who are still unbeaten in two years. Whilst the score-line was a fair reflection of the game following a ruthless and clinical first 45 minutes by the visitors, it is the spirited second-half response which will have sent the proud following home happy.

A fine first half display by Chester exemplified just why they boast such an impressive record. They were clinical in front of goal and unforgiving in the rare moments of careless Bridge play. The visitors took the lead on 13 minutes when a hopeful chase by a Chester shirt following a long punt paid off. A mix up at the back by Louis Smith and Anthony Windle enabled the Chester forward to steel the ball 25 yards from goal. With only the Keeper to beat the Chester man fired past Windle which was greeted by loud Chester cheers from the main stand. Chester made it two following some fine individual play on 23 minutes. Surrounded by blue shirts, a switch in pace and some trickery down the left-hand side by the Chester wide-man freed him of his Stalybridge markers. Now advancing into the Celtic penalty-area the left-Winger unselfishly rolled the ball into the path of an unmarked white shirt who made no mistake from six-yards, side-footing home to give the visitors a healthy two-goal cushion. Two soon became Three just before the break when Grant miss-controlled 40 yards from goal. Chester countered and a cross-cum-shot at the end of the move found its way to the back-post where a white shirt was waiting to tap home. Bridge now had a mountain to climb.

We remember McNamara's thunderbolt to give his team the lead at Southport, Mo Kpoligon's superb burst of pace and finish sealing the win at the seaside, Mikuna's powerful header at Runcorn Linnets followed by a superb glancing header by Smith in the same game. These moments will live long in the memory of these players coupled with the magnificent attitude and spirit showed throughout the team during the impressive cup run. These boys had earned the right to be here and they had 45 second-half minutes to show just why.

The Young Blue Bloods team were asked to leave the pitch with no regrets and the boys duly delivered.

Jordan Leech was introduced at half-time for the injured Sam Cunliffe and lead the line as Adam Massey dropped into midfield. Leech always seems to offer a threat going forward and as in the previous rounds he made an immediate impact. A minute after the restart his turn and shot on the edge of the area was heading for the top corner before his shot was blocked. Ten minutes later Bridge should have reduced the arrears after Grant's persistence presented Bridge with a good opportunity in the penalty area. From a tight angle the winger forced a fine save from the Chester Goal-keeper to preserve their advantage. Bridge continued to press and Quinlan almost scored on 65 from distance, his shot narrowly missing the target. Celtic threw everything at Chester as the game drew to a close but Chester defended their lead resolutely.

The full-time whistle blew and Chester had rightly earned their passage to the next round to face league club Chesterfield.

For the Stalybridge Academy team, they also left the field victorious following a sterling second-half performance and magnificent cup run. On the night Josh Logan epitomized the spirit which has been ever present this year. His 80 yard burst to close down three successive Chester passes showed just how much the shirt meant to him. Jordan Leech also chased every ball down, a spirit echoed by his team-mates in the second-half, and throughout the cup run.

Colin Chambers was delighted at the end of the game as his team left the competition with great memories and no regrets following a resurgent, wholehearted second half performance. To hold a team like Chester to a 0-0 second-half was the real positive of a very difficult game for the Young Blue Bloods. These lads have grown over the four games they have played in the competition and have made everyone at Stalybridge Celtic very proud of how far they have come in such a short time.

Marching on together.

Full Time: 0-3

Stalybridge Celtic Team: Anthony Windle (gk), Craig McKay, Louis Smith (c), Danny Mikuna, Johnny Morgan, Jack Turner (Anthony Quinlan 10), Declan McNamara, Sam Cunliffe (Jordan Leech 46), Josh Logan, Connor Grant, Adam Massey.
Subs not used: Callum Hill (gk), Moriba Kpoligon