Over 1300 turned out at Bower Fold to see Stalybridge Celtic and Hyde United in a lively Tameside Derby. Hyde started the game the better side, applying the pressure to make for an exciting first half. There were 4 consecutive corners, which Celtics defence dealt with well. Despite missing a huge part of their team, their key players either having covid or injuries.
The Captain, Scott Bakkor witnessed a header, which was saved after 23 minutes into the game.
Charley Doyle was in full flow, full of energy, taking an attempt at the goal with a cracking header, landing just over the bar. A close one.
Just before the first half came to an end Edward Ikpakwu had a spell of corners. The 4th of those corners, cleared by Hyde made for an exciting game. With Celtic stealing the ball from Tom Pratt, over to Tongue, attempting a shoot, fully deflected into the path of Mitchell, who gently tapped it into the empty net on the 45th minute, albeit he was offside when he received the ball, behind Huffer.
The second half, Tyreece Onyeka stepped in, and Stephen Brogan went off with an injury, restarted the game and off with a boom they got close 3 times. Harris' corner served Quansah a header which went wide. Then Harris saw another chance but was inches wide of the bottom corner of the goal.
Onyeka who had just stepped in as a sub had their 3rd chance of this half, heading a cross from Justin Johnson, which went over the bar. They then lost Josh Dawodu who was unable to continue, replacing him with an Under 18's player. Midfielder Matty Jones, who after joining the pitch really impressed.
The equalising goal came in the 82nd minute by Harris.
Celtic nearly went ahead and won the game when Tongue headed a cross just wide of his own goal and Pratt drifted wide with a shot in the final minutes resulting in the 1-1 score at full time.
