Our hosts opened up a three point advantage over the side they played last time out, the side they started the afternoon on the same points as, thanks to a fine 4-0 win away at Nantwich Town. All four goals coming in the second half, the Celts moving up to 14th in the table, with thirty points from their 25 games played. Looking at the split in fixtures, in eleven games at Bower Fold, Stalybridge have won three, drawn two and lost six. They’ve fared better away from home with five wins and four draws from 14 games, losing the remaining five. Included in their five defeats away from home is the 4-0 win by the Holy Blues back in September, when a Clayton Donaldson hat-trick and one from Jack Dyche gave the Holy Blues a convincing win on home turf.

Last time the two sides met at Bower Fold, last February, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw. Jovon Makama gave the Holy Blues a dream start, only to be pegged back by former Trinity man Stephen Brogan, as an injury ravaged Gainsborough side just couldn’t hold out for all three points. February 2020 was the last time the Holy Blues recorded a victory over Stalybridge, when Curtis Woodhouse’s Trinity won by two goals to one. From the memory bank an inspired George Willis save, followed by two goals in three minutes made for an exciting second half turn around, with Gregg Smith and Jordan Adebayo-Smith on the mark for Gainsborough!

Adult prices are £12, with concessions at £8. Stalybridge’s website advise that Under 16s are granted free access. So why not get yourselves along and in numbers, help the Blues climb back up the table. Bamber Bridge leapfrogged us in midweek, with their narrow one nil victory, but we have games in hand, and we need you to help us be successful in 2023. Let’s go!

Prize Draw

As a reminder, there's still time to enter our Back the Blue January prize draw. Aimed at raising over £7,000 towards valuable club funds across a twelve-month period, this great initiative is a bit of fun, with brilliant prizes up for grabs each month. There are three chances to win for our entrants, with the first prize of £250, a runner up prize of £100 and third prize of £50.

At just £10 a month (the equivalent of less than £2.50 a week) you're in with a great chance of winning some reddies back, whilst also raising funds for the club, in turn helping to support club finances. Buy you ticket online here.

Elsewhere

Atherton Collieries vs South Shields
Belper Town vs Bamber Bridge
FC United of Manchester vs Warrington Town
Guiseley vs Hyde United
Lancaster City vs Matlock Town
Marine vs Ashton United
Morpeth Town vs Radcliffe
Stafford Rangers vs Marske United
Warrington Rylands vs Liversedge
Whitby Town vs Nantwich Town

Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)