Author: Admin - Mon 2 May 16Stalybridge Celtic players past and present turned out in front of a decent crowd onto a wet Bower Fold pitch in the memory of Celtic kitman, Mark Storah.
Andy Fearn took charge of 'home' team in a custom made Joma kit embroidered with the details of the match, that had Lewis King in goal, with Jack Higgins, Steve Payne, Mark Lees and Paul Sykes in front of him. Connor Jennings, Kevin Parr, Simon Heaton, Phil Marsh, Brendan Burke and Matty Barlow completed the team, with subs of Archie Burke (Brendan's son) and Paul Kirkham on the bench.
The away team kept Lewis King the busier of the two keepers, Greg Wilkinson hit the bar with a curling shot, whilst at the other end Sykes wearing the number two shirt (the only shirt he'd never worn for Celtic) hit the side netting, Mark Lees and Connor Jennings both hit the woodwork. The away team were creating the better chances and just past the half hour, Ben McKenna broke, drew King, nutmegging the former keeper to open the scoring.
Keith Briggs finished off the half with a cracking shot from thirty-five yards into the top corner.
The home team had the better of the second half, in what was an extremely entertaining match. Phil Marsh turned and shot and gave Craig Dootson something to do, whilst a harsh handball allowed the Premiership referee to award a penalty for the home team. Up stepped Archie Burke; despite his age he showed great composure with a penalty that showed he was a chip off the old block. After some crowd pleasing antics from Tony Sullivan, 'Tino' had an effort to show the other side of him, the excellent footballer, and only a good save from King denied him.
