Celtic continue play-off push

Stalybridge Celtic kept their NPL West play-off hopes alive on Saturday with an emphatic 4-2 win at home to Nantwich Town. 

The hosts got off to a lightning start, taking the lead after just three minutes through Jack Irlam, who pounced on a loose pass from the visitors and slotted the ball home. 

Lewis Rawsthorn’s bullet header then put Celtic two up before Kofi Moore pulled one back for The Dabbers just after the half hour mark. 

Two goals in three minutes then put the home side out of sight early in the second half. 

Liam Tongue’s free-kick took a wicked bounce off the turf and flew over the despairing dive of Ben Garratt, before Rawsthorn got his second of the afternoon.    

With Garratt in no man’s land, the forwards’ spinning volley evaded the covering defender on the goal line and landed just under the crossbar. 

The away side pulled one back 15 minutes from time when Perry Bircumshaw volleyed home from close range after Tweedley’s initial effort cannoned back out off the woodwork, but Jon Macken’s side were able to hold firm and take all three points. 

“I’m really pleased,” Macken told the club’s YouTube channel following the win. 

“It was a really good performance, and I thought we were in control of the game from start to finish. 

“We created a lot of opportunities, and even though we scored four I thought we could have had one or two more. 

“It was a great reaction from the disappointment of last week.” 

The win sees Celtic sit five points outside the play-off positions in the NPL West, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Runcorn Linnets.