Match day 3 was an away fixture against Stalybridge Celtic FC Reserves!
Starting 11: Bracken, Cooney, Ingle, Macdonald, Macormac (GK), McGrath, Mitchell (C), Moth, Olori, Przybylski, Williamson – Subs: Hamad, Ihejirika, Louca, Onyeugba, Swiatowy,
AFC Monton secured their first clean sheet of the season and a well-earned point at Bower Fold following a competitive goalless draw with Stalybridge Celtic Reserves.
Monton will perhaps feel they could have taken more from the game after producing the better football and creating the clearer opportunities during an impressive first-half display.
From the opening stages, Monton looked positive in possession and repeatedly found ways into dangerous areas. Several good chances were created that, on another afternoon, could easily have seen us into the break two or three goals ahead.
The only thing missing was the finishing touch, with a number of opportunities pulled narrowly wide of the post when Monton had done everything else right.
Stalybridge, however, were well organised and disciplined. They made Monton work hard for every opportunity and ensured that despite us looking the better of the two sides at half-time, there was still very much a game to be won.
SECOND HALF
The hosts emerged strongly after the restart and began to establish a foothold in the contest. Stalybridge increased the pressure and started to look the more dangerous of the two sides, forcing Monton into changes as the management looked to introduce fresh legs.
On 55 minutes, Toby Hamad replaced Moth, before further changes followed shortly afterwards with Bartek Swiatowy replacing Ingle and Ryan Louca coming on for McGrath.
Monton were then forced into another change when Mitchell picked up a leg strain, with Ihejirika introduced in his place.
The substitutes all made an impact and helped Monton regain some control at a time when Stalybridge were enjoying their best spell of the game.
Despite the hosts applying plenty of pressure, the Monton defensive unit remained outstanding and restricted Stalybridge to very few clear-cut opportunities.
When the hosts did finally find a way through, Ollie Macormac produced a superb save, getting down sharply to his left to keep the scores level.
With around 15 minutes remaining, Monton made their final change as Onyeugba replaced Olori.
CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS
As the game entered its final ten minutes, Monton began to threaten again, particularly from set pieces.
A great opportunity fell to Swiatowy, whose effort was brilliantly kept out by the Stalybridge goalkeeper, before Ihejirika came agonisingly close when his glancing header drifted just wide of the left-hand post.
Stalybridge continued to apply pressure during the closing stages, but Monton’s defensive discipline, organisation and work rate ensured there would be no late breakthrough.
The final whistle brought an end to a competitive contest with the points shared — and, considering the balance of the two halves, a draw was probably a fair result.
PLENTY OF POSITIVES
There was plenty for Monton to take from the performance.
The first-half display demonstrated the quality within the side and the number of chances we are capable of creating. On another day, with a little more composure in front of goal, we could have gone into half-time with a commanding lead and potentially returned home with all three points.
Equally pleasing was the response when Stalybridge came strongly into the game after the break.
The discipline, work rate, character and defensive performance were excellent, with the entire side working for one another to secure our first clean sheet of the season.
A point away from home, another positive performance and another step forward for this young Monton side.
