Stalybridge Celtic came back from three goals down to defeat Hednesford Town on Tuesday in an enthralling encounter at Bower Fold.
A quickfire brace from Manny Duku put the visitors ahead before Joel Taylor put Hednesford three goals to the good after just 34 minutes.
From here it seemed Celtic had a mountain to climb, but an instant reply gave the home side hope, with Max Leonard firing in the rebound after Jack Irlam’s shot was parried into his path by the Hednesford goalkeeper.
Celtic then found themselves level after five crazy minutes in which midfielder Brandon Newell halved the deficit before Max Leonard equalised on the stroke of half-time, popping up with his second of the evening.
After going close on a number of occasions in the second half, hosts Celtic finally completed the turnaround 13 minutes from time when Brandon Newell got his brace, leaping the highest at the back post to turn in Joe Duckworth’s cross and send Bower Fold into a frenzy.
“I’m delighted,” Celtic manager Jon Macken told the club’s YouTube channel.
“I think anyone would be coming from 3-0 down.
“To a man I thought we were excellent, we showed desire, work rate and a great attitude not just to come from behind and then go in front, but to see it out as well.
“The first 15 minutes is not what we’re after going forward, and that’s an area we can improve on, but overall, I thought we were tremendous,” he added.
This weekend sees Jon Macken’s side travel to 9th placed Chasetown.
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