Attention switches to cup competition as the week’s first match sees Radcliffe travel to Bower Fold in the first round of the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup.

After Saturday’s victory, spirits are high ahead of the two cup matches this week with the Manchester Premier Cup potentially providing an opportunity for match fitness, as well as giving youth a chance to impress within the first team.

The Opposition

Stalybridge have had an inconsistent start to their 2024/25 campaign, whilst they have managed to string together back-to-back wins on multiple occasions, more recently a victory has been followed by a defeat next time out.

With two wins in the last five, the hosts for this cup tie are not in the best form, a 1-0 win against 17th placed Clitheroe is the Celts’ only league win in the five previous attempts. A positive for Tuesday’s opponents was beating Macclesfield 3-1 in the Cheshire Senior Cup, although they did field a youthful side.

Last time out, Stalybridge were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Nantwich Town as Kai Evans put three past Jon Macken’s side. After the hosts took the lead against the run of play, a second-half crumble saw Celtic drop out of the top five, for the first time since matchday five.

Ones to Watch

Liam Tongue has seven goals in all competitions so far this season, the most in the Stalybridge squad. The 27-year-old midfielder rejoined the side after leaving Guiseley, where he was captain and also caretaker manager. With good leadership and ball skills, he has almost 2000 minutes this campaign and will be key to breaking down the Radcliffe defence.

Jordan Butterworth has appeared 21 times for the Celts this season and has 1747 minutes to his name. In that time, the former Manchester United academy player has plenty of experience in his locker and has put it to use in the Stalybridge midfield with one assist to his name, he forms a key part of the opposition squad.

Stat Pack

National League North (S2) – Division – NPL West Division (S4)
21st – League Position – 7th
17 – Games Played – 18
17 – Points – 24
4 – Wins – 7
5 – Draws – 3
8 – Losses – 8
21 – Goals For – 26
30 – Goals Against – 31
Josh Hancock, Brad Roscoe (5)– Top Goalscorer – Liam Tongue, Joe Duckworth (4)

Last Time Out

Just seven of the seventeen-man squad remain from when the last two sides faced off, with seven of the starting XI having departed the club since.

The two outfits have not met since the 31st of January 2023, when Jake Thompson and Jude Oyibo’s first-half goals secured three points despite Harry Benns’ second-half finish.

Radcliffe pressed well on the day and put the hosts under pressure as Greg Hall was forced into a number of early saves, but after the ‘keeper spilled Matt Grivosti’s awkward free kick, Thompson made no mistake as he stabbed the ball home.

Oyibo doubled the lead shortly after the half-hour mark, as the pacy winger casually lifted the ball over Hall, capitalising on Tom Miller’s poor pass.

Benns was able to give the hosts hope midway through the first half, with good ball control creating enough space for a shot that found the corner of the goal but the final score remained 2-1.

The three points moved Radcliffe in striking distance of the play-offs after 26 matches, whilst it put Stalybridge Celtic within six points of the danger zone and was also the beginning of seven games that saw only two points being taken.

Matchday Information

Date: 12/11/24
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Bower Fold

Adult: £6
Concession: £5
U18: £3

Please note that all under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Radcliffe will now be playing in our blue pre-season kit, whilst the hosts will don their green and white striped away strip.

Can’t Attend The Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 7:30pm.

Manchester Premier Cup – First Round

08/10 – FC United of Manchester 1-4 Curzon Ashton
15/10 – Mossley 1-2 Ashton United
15/10 – Irlam 3-0 Glossop North End
16/10 – Abbey Hey 4-2 Bury
16/10 – Avro (p) 1-1 Hyde United
26/11 – Trafford v Chadderton
26/11 – Wythenshawe Town v West Didsbury and Chorlton