Match Report: Stalybridge Celtic 4-3 Widnes

Stalybridge Celtic got back to winning ways after their disappointing defeat to Vauxhall Motors with a 4-3 win at home to Widnes on Saturday (March 23).

Hosts Celtic had a nightmare start to proceedings, finding themselves trailing after just 15 seconds when James Steele found space inside the penalty area and slotted the ball home to put the away side ahead.

Things would get even worse for the home side when Steele got his, and Widnes’ second of the afternoon with a well-placed header at the back post, putting The Whites 2-0 up with just four minutes on the clock.

Celtic responded almost instantly, with Max Leonard heading home from a corner to half the deficit just minutes later.

With half-time approaching, up popped Leonard once again, who rose the highest to power a header past the goalkeeper and score what was almost an identical goal to the one he scored earlier on.

Leonard was then denied his hat trick early in the second half after heading the ball home for the third time in the match, only for his celebrations to be cut short by the linesman’s raised flag.

With 15 minutes to go, Celtic took the lead for the first time, going ahead through a stunning free kick from Cole Lonsdale who found the top corner from just outside the area.

Then with just four minutes to go, visitors Widnes were awarded a penalty which was dispatched expertly by Sean Miller who looked to have earned his side a point.

But the drama was not done there, and in the dying embers of the match, Celtic were awarded a spot kick of their own.

It was Lonsdale who took responsibility, firing the ball home for his second of the afternoon and sealing a crucial win for James Kinsey’s side.