Stalybridge 2 Vics 1 (From Northwich Guardian)

Stalybridge Celtic come from behind to defeat holders Northwich Victoria

12:57am Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Match reports By Andrew Simpson

NORTHWICH now know again what it feels like to lose a match in this competition, more than three years since their last defeat.

The holders’ exit, while merited, was not without dignity.

Indeed they led at the interval against a side including five starters from their league encounter at the weekend before succumbing to Craig Hobson’s second half double.

While harsh on Vics’ goalkeeper Arron Morrison, whose string of saves kept Celtic at bay until three minutes from time, it was a just reward for the hosts’ superiority.

The visitors, using none of the players responsible for their defeat of FC United on Saturday, unsurprisingly lacked cohesion.

They carried a threat though, Paul Ennis teeing up Michael Clarke early on but the front man’s contact with the ball was not clean and goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray saved comfortably.

Ennis himself should have done better midway through the opening period after intercepting a loose pass, blazing over when there were teammates better placed.

The former Stalybridge wide man did score from the spot on 36 minutes though after a linesman judged Kristian Platt to have fouled an opponent, although nobody in green had protested.

Morrison was swift off his line to smother Dennis Sheriff’s shot soon after the restart before the same player scuffed his next effort after Greg Willkinson had picked Wayne Riley’s pocket.

Mitchell Austin appeared certain to score after speeding away from Graeme Law and Louis Horne, only to shoot wildly with a clear sight of goal.

Stalybridge started the second half swiftly, restoring parity on the hour when Joel Bembo-Leta squared for Hobson to score from close range after Austin had countered.

Vics almost went ahead immediately, Sean Kinsella swerving a free kick against an upright.

They were grateful for Morrison’s miracle save on 68 minutes, the custodian clawing Sheriff’s header out of the corner.

He parried Arthur Gnahoua’s effort to safety too as Stalybridge piled on the pressure, diverting Sheriff’s next shot from danger as well after Bembo-Leta had picked out the striker.

There was controversy too about a spot kick awarded to Stalybridge after Wilkinson’s blast hit Michael Roddy.

The player protested the ball had hit his midriff, but referee Robert Jones said the Vics midfielder’s left arm had intervened instead.

Hobson’s conversion was emphatic, sending Celtic to the semi finals.

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Vics’ Star Man: Arron Morrison. If it wasn’t for his saves, including one brilliant reflex reaction to claw out Dennis Sheriff’s header in the second half, then Vics would have been sunk long before Craig Hobson’s disputed penalty.

Denied Sheriff in the first half with an excellent smother too.

Of those seeking to impress manager Andy Preece, front man Tony Evans can have done his chances of a recall no harm with his performance.

Stalybridge (4-4-2 MacGillivray (GK), Bembo-Leta, Platt, Meynall, McWilliams, Austin (Jennings 82), Warburton, Wilkinson, Gnahoua, Sheriff, Hobson
Subs not used Budtz (GK), Lynch, Rea, Marsh
Goals Hobson 61, 87 (penalty)

Vics (4-4-2) Arron Morrison (GK), Riley, Smyth, Horne, Law (Asher 46), Ennis, Kinsella, Abbott (Bailey-Jones 77), Roddy, Evans, Clarke
Subs not used Hinchliffe (GK), Preece
Goal Ennis 36 (penalty)
Booked Smyth, Horne (both fouls)

Referee Robert Jones (Bebington)
Attendance n/k