Match Preview :- Witton Albion - Saturday September 17th, 2016 (15:00:00)

On Saturday, Celtic face Witton Albion in the FA Cup. Witton are currently top of the Evo-Stik First Division South. They have played five and have thirteen points, dropping only two points this season with an away 1-1 draw in their most recent game against third placed Romulus.

Former Celtic midfielder, Prince Haywood will be a familiar face, and is third top scorer at Witton with three goals. Ahead of him are Rob Hopley and Tolanmi Omotola both on four goals each.

We have played Witton many times over the years. The last time we won away against Witton was in the Cheshire Senior Cup in November 2000, when we won 2-1 (Kev Parr and Syd Pickford with the goals). The last time we beat not in the Cheshire Senior Cup them was a two weeks after that in December 2000, when we knocked them out of the FA Trophy, winning 2-0 with Matty McNeil and Kev Parr with the goals. It was six years until the two teams met again, in March 2006, when Witton beat us in the Cheshire Senior Cup final. They followed that up the following season, knocking us out of the same competition in November 2006.

The most recent competitive meeting between the two clubs was again in the Cheshire Senior Cup, a game Celtic won, but made hard work of in January 2014. The game finished 3-3 (Adam Pepper, Tom Buckley and Paul Ennis for Celtic) and went to extra time. Sean McConville scored what looked like was the winner, until Scott Bakkor popped up in stoppage time of extra time and scored an equaliser putting the game to penalties. Bakkor then saw his penalty saved, and when the Andy Williams scored Celtic's fifth penalty, we were through.

In Witton's last match, the 1-1 away draw at Romulus, they lined up as:
1. Danny Roberts
2. Anthony Gardner
3. Matty Devine
4. Michael Wilson
5. Anthony Brown
6. Tom Owens
7. Prince Haywood
8. Karl Noon
9. Rob Hopley
10. Tolani Omolola
11. Wes Benjamin

Celtic's last match, the hastily re-arranged fixture away at Harrogate that Celtic lost 3-1 with Andy Owens getting Celtic's goal. In that match, Celtic lined up as:
1. Tony McMillan
2. Aaron Chalmers
3. Graham Kelly
4. Jay Gorton
5. Matty Hughes
6. Shea Gordon
7. Aidan Chippendale
8. Gary Gee
9. Andy Owens
10. Danny Wilkins
11. Adam Mather

Witton have already put Buxton and Atherton Colleries out of the FA Cup and are flying in the league. Previous seasons have shown that lower league opposition should never be underestimated.

Table
P Pts
1 AFC Fylde 10 24
2 Harrogate Town 11 24
3 Kidderminster Harriers 11 23
4 Darlington 11 23
5 Chorley 11 22
Results
Sat 17 Sep 2016Stalybridge Celtic1-1
No Scorers
Previous Meetings
Saturday February 03, 2024
3
0
Saturday September 16, 2023
4
0
Saturday July 16, 2022
2
2
Saturday February 12, 2022
0
2
Saturday November 06, 2021
2
2
Records
Home win Never won at home
Away win Never won away
Home defeat Never lost at home
Away defeat Never lost away
Home score Never played home
Away score Never played away
Games Since... Overall Home Away
Last Scored n/an/an/a
Last Conceded n/an/an/a
Last Won n/an/an/a
Last Drew n/an/an/a
Directions
Distance: 35
Time: 45 minutes

From the M60, Junction 4 (M67) go clockwise, towards Stockport.
At Junction 4 (M56) leave the M60 and join the M56.
Stay on the M56 for eight miles leaving junction 10 (Northwich).
Join the A559 (Northwich Road) towards Northwich.
Stay on the A559 for 6 miles - watch for speed cameras! Turn right at the crossroads by the Black Greyhound pub (signposted for Wincham) onto Hall Lane.
After driving for half a mile, you will cross the canal bridge, turn left (signposted for the ground).
The ground is on the left.