Weekend football round-up: Stalybridge Celtic win another 4-3 thriller

The defining goal of Jon Macken’s playing career was when his injury time header put a cap on Manchester City’s miraculous 4-3 comeback win at Spurs in the 2004 FA Cup.

Now, as Stalybridge Celtic’s manager, he has presided over two equally remarkable 4-3 victories inside a week. 

After coming from 3-0 down to beat Hednesford on Tuesday night, Bridge travelled to Chasetown brimming with confidence. It was a swagger undented by the home side taking an early lead from the penalty spot, as Macken’s men hauled themselves in front with goals from Jack Irlam and Joe Duckworth. 

Already on a booking, Duckworth received a contentious second yellow card moments later, with his depleted teammates holding on for a 2-1 half-time lead. 

Sam Wilding equalised for Chasetown soon after the break, but Stalybridge retook the lead through the most unlikely of sources. 

Kyle Brownhill – who never found the net for Hyde United in almost 200 games – popped up at the far post to convert a cross to notch his first Celtic goal in just his 17th match. 

Despite being a striker down, Stalybridge extended their lead to 4-2 on 69 minutes, when captain Liam Tongue continued his own Goal of the Season competition by firing in from the edge of the area. 

Chasetown made Bridge fight for the three points, pulling a goal back with six minutes left on the clock. The visitors held firm, though, moving back into the play-off spots after a week that saw 14 goals in just two games. 

“I thought we were better second half when we were down to ten men,” said a buoyant Macken. “We were really disciplined, we worked really hard, and we created a few chances. 

“I’m delighted for the lads. The hard work that they’ve put in over the last two games it’s been a credit to what they are, what we’re about, and what we’re trying to achieve. 

“To a man they’ve been outstanding. Even the subs that came on, they’ve listened to the instructions and worked hard for the team.” 

Elsewhere, Curzon Ashton were at the top of the National League North table at half-time in their home match against a resurgent Radcliffe. 

However, the weather intervened, forcing the referee to abandon the game with Curzon leading 2-1 on a waterlogged pitch. 

All the other games featuring our local sides were called off, including a rare postponement on the artificial surface at Ewen Fields, when Whitby Town found themselves snowed in ahead of their game against Hyde.