05/10/2024
By Chris Gibbs
Home comforts bring vital win
Eking out draws on the road is a decent trait and being hard to beat is what you need to be in the tough school that is the Northern Premier League West division, but nothing quite beats that winning feeling.
And make no mistake this was a really hard-earned win against a side who most would expect to be there or thereabouts come season’s end.
Jake Avery will of course grab the headlines for his brace, but this was a top team effort. The back five – you always need to include Slinny – were excellent in particular. Since Stubbsy got injured in the home game with Scunthorpe, our rejigged back line has only conceded two goals in three games, so although we will of course welcome the big fella back when he’s ready, we are coping well. We weren’t at our fluent best, but this was a case of staying resolute and getting the job done.
Stalybridge started brightly and had the game’s opening chance when Jack Irlam glanced a header just wide of Slinny’s right hand post. But we got our noses in front on 18 minutes when Ethan Vale – who had a decent game – did what Ethan does and played a lovely through ball to Jake who drew the keeper out and tucked a neat finish under him for 1-0.
Stalybridge’s physicality and their direct approach was a threat and we had to deal with lots of balls into our box, but we continued to carry a goal threat ourselves as well. Skipper Tommy van der Laan headed straight at Stalybridge stopper Charlie Monks direct from a Tom Thorley long throw and then your favourite farmer and mine was on the end of a well delivered corner himself from Ethan Vale.
Again, though it was straight at the keeper.
On the stroke of half time the visitors made us pay. We got caught short at the back and Joe Duckworth had the easiest task of blasting home from close range.
Stalybridge’s skipper Liam Tongue blasted one against the outside of the post shortly after half time, but it was a much improved second half from our lads. One terrific run from Ty Webster very nearly put Jake in and there was plenty to admire from the young fella’s commitment to direct running and always looking forward. He’s a prospect.
But it was his replacement Carlos dos Santos that came on and delivered the game’s decisive moment. Carlos’ forward pass picked out Jake’s arcing run five minutes from the end and the rest was never in doubt.
Despite a few nervy moments in the closing stages, we held firm and travel to Runcorn on Tuesday with renewed confidence after beating a team that would have gone top of the league had they beaten us today. Happy days.
Come on Castle!
Team: Slinn, Derbyshire, Ritchie, Sherratt, Thorley, Van der Laan, Lewis, (Robinson 85) Vale, Barry, (Jones 58), Avery, Webster (Dos Santos (80)
Man of the match: Jake Avery
Attendance: 162