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Leigh RMI 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1

Stalybridge Celtic

By Matt Lawton
January 11 2004
David McNiven's header early in the second half was enough to earn his side another chance to get through to the fourth round of the FA Trophy against Unibond League outfit Stalybridge Celtic.

The visitors, managed by former RMI assistant manager Dave Miller, arrived at Hilton Park in confident mood, with the giantkilling exploits of both Moor Green and Worksop Town fresh in the mind, with both of them recording shock victories over RMI in cup competitions in recent years, with the latter recording an emphatic 4-1 victory at Hilton Park at the same stage of the FA Trophy a few years ago.

The Celtic side featured several ex-RMI stars in the form of goalkeeper Craig Dootson, full back Dave German and substitute Andy Heald, though former RMI stars Ian Monk and Dave Ridings are both also on the books of Stalybridge.

The first half was largely dominated by Celtic, who looked much the better side and created by far the more chances, with RMI debutant goalkeeper Sebastien Rowe having to make several saves. RMI only created half chances via Paul Rickers and Mario Daniel, and the visitors took a deserved lead when Rowe was beaten after Jerome Fitzgerald's cross was planted firmly past the former Bury goalkeeper by a Kenny Mayers' header, who had ironically been the subject of some stick from several Stalybridge supporters who were assembled behind that particular goal at the Railway End.

There seemed to be a reversal of roles between the sides, as you wouldn't disagree if you thought that Stalybridge were the side playing the higher up the football pyramid as opposed to RMI, and the visitors could've extended their lead if it wasn't for some wasteful finishing. However, as it was it was 1-0 to the visitors at half-time.

RMI came out for the second half all guns blazing and were back on level terms within barely two minutes of the restart when Damian Whitehead planted a cross straight on the head of David McNiven who put the ball past Dootson for his seventeeth goal of a prolific season.

Mayers hit the inside of the post later in the second half but RMI were much better in the second period and a draw was largely a fair result.

RMI were thankful that they didn't go the way of fellow Conference clubs Northwich and Scarborough, who were both knocked out of the competition by lower league opposition, while RMI's next league opponents, Farnborough Town, who visit Hilton Park next Saturday for a vital Conference match, were thrashed 6-0 away at perennial giantkillers Canvey Island. RMI's replay will take place on Tuesday evening (13th January) at Celtic's Bower Fold home.

FA Trophy 3rd Round results:

Altrincham 2 Runcorn FC Halton 1

Barnet 3 Dover Athletic 2

Bishop's Stortford 2 Aldershot 4

Blyth Spartans 1 Barrow 0

Burscough 0 Tamworth 1

Burton Albion 4 Accrington Stanley 2

Canvey Island 6 Farnborough 0

Chester 1 Halifax 2

Dag & Red 0 Crawley Town 0

Dorchester 2 Margate 2

Exeter City 3 Hereford 2