AFC Telford had to settle for a draw from a frantic, end-to-end opening match at Stalybridge Celtic that either side might have won, writes Sean Wozencroft.

Both of these Blue Square North heavyweights are expected to be in the promotion shake-up this season and there was nothing between them at Bower Fold.

In the end it was Celtic’s Chris Williams who had the final say, the lively midfielder sidefooting past Ryan Young from Ashley Woolliscroft’s cross to level the scores at 2-2 with 20 minutes remaining.It was perhaps slightly harsh on Telford, who had put in a much-improved season half performance.

But the Bucks were happy enough with their point after the home side threatened to steal a victory in the closing stages, Nathan Joynes clipping the woodwork for Steve Burr’s side with four minutes remaining.

Stalybridge drew first blood after just six minutes with the Bucks’ defence showing early nerves.

Former Liverpool trainee Steve Torpey exchanged passes with Joynes before taking the return in his stride and hitting a deflected shot off Stuart Whitehead and into the far corner.

It was an early taste of misfortune for the Bucks defence, but Torpey really should not have been granted so much space inside the area.

Paul Phillips had to get down to save Liam Blakeman’s effort as Telford tried to force their way back into the contest with both teams trying to adjust to the fast surface created by drizzle more accustomed to November than the first day of the new season.

See our match photo gallery here

Telford nearly drew level on 23 minutes, Terry Fearns fooling his defender with a dropped shoulder to collect Blakeman’s insightful through ball.

The striker’s pace took him past the Stalybridge ‘keeper and he looked odds on to score.

But excellent chasing back by Barrie Keeling saw his effort hooked off the line.

Though United offered a threat on the break, it was Stalybridge who were dominating possession and running the midfield.

On 40 minutes Terry Barwick’s shot from distance fizzed inches wide.

The Greater Manchester side should have extended their advantage before half-time, Joynes somehow managing to head wide of an open goal after Young had spilled Ellington’s shot.

Yet it was Telford who went into the interval happiest after Jon Adam’s equaliser against the run of play.

Bustling Emeka Nwadike played in Blakeman and his accurate cross was chested over the line by well-positioned Adams to awake the sizeable away contingent.

United boss Rob Smith watched the match from the stands, completing his suspension from the end of last season, and whatever he said in the dressing room at half-time worked as his team came out a completely different side for the second 45.

Fearns immediately tried to catch Phillips off guard from distance before Andy Brown failed to direct his effort goalwards from a Naylor long throw.

You sensed it was coming, and on the hour Telford forced themselves ahead.

Again Naylor’s long throw was helped on by Gavin Cowan, again it fell to Brown, but this time the striker made no mistake, smashing an unstoppable volley into the top corner.

And the game should have been tied up three minutes later when the Bucks broke two-on-one.

Steve Jagielka played his part, drawing the solitary defender and playing in Fearns – usually so calm, his effort from close range with only the ‘keeper to beat was screwed woefully wide.

The match looked to have swung in Telford’s favour against last year’s beaten playoff finalists but they were made to pay for that poor miss when Williams charged into the area to finish with ease on 70 minutes.

Nwadike came close from a corner soon after, but it was Celtic who finished strongest.

Young made an excellent diving save to deny Torpey before Joynes’ header hit the post.

Then in the final minute substitute Nicky Platt headed straight into the grateful hands of Young when found completely unmarked at the back post.

MATCH FACTS:

Stalybridge Celtic: Phillips, Woolliscroft, Wood, Keeling, Barwick (Platt 79), Sykes, Torpey, Briggs, Ellington (Barlow 75), Joynes, Williams. Subs not used: Wilkinson, Burke, Meynell.

AFC Telford Utd: Young, Naylor, Jagielka, Cowan, Whitehead, Khela, Adams (Vermiglio 76), Nwadike, Fearns, Brown, Blakeman (Moore 83). Subs not used: Stevens, Fitzpatrick.

Referee: B Toner (Darwen).

Attendance: 762.

GOAL LOG:

1-0 Torpey (6) – his shot took a deflection off Whitehead and looped into the far corner, leaving keeper Young helpless.

1-1 Adams (44) – the midfielder was in the right place to chest home Blakeman’s cross from close range.

1-2 Brown (60) – Naylor’s long throw was headed on by Cowan and fell to Brown, who unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner.

2-2 Williams (70) – Woolliscroft’s cross was converted by Williams from six yards.

Thanks to Mel Jones for the video footage – to buy a full match DVD, go to his website at www.brooklandsvideo.com