Match Report -
Hard done by
By Keith Trudgeon

A last minute wonder strike from John Stannard won this highly-charged Tameside derby for the Bloods - even though Celtic had been the better of the two sides for the majority of the match.

Celtic certainly began the game much the livelier and Tony Sullivan forced a fine save from Paul Phillips before Winfield Steele fired over from 20 yards.

Celtic continued to dictate the tempo and Matty McNeil saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Dave Ashton.

The tone continued after the break with Parr and Bauress going close ahead of a looping header from Steele which bounced off the top of the bar and then Droylsden made a triple substitution which changed the course of the game.

Lampkin, Stannard and Warner entered the fray and added a boost to the proceedings. With both sides tiring and a goal-less draw looking the most likely outcome, Stuart Corns' free-kick was chested down by Stannard who swivelled and fired a brilliant volley into the far top corner of the net from 16 yards.

Droylsden were elated and Celtic were understandably deflated because they knew they had the chances to wrap the game up long before the epic finale.