Stalybridge Celtic 1 Nantwich Town 0

NANTWICH Town started the new Evo-Stik Premier Division season with a defeat on Saturday as they succumbed to Stalybridge Celtic.

The Dabbers, under the management of Dave Cooke for the first time, were given a tough opening assignment against one of the pre-season favourites for promotion.

They eventually succumbed to a goal just before half-time from Alexander Honeyball, who looped a header past Dabbers keeper Fabien Speiss.

Nantwich play their first home game of the new campaign on Tuesday when they welcome Altrincham, another of the pre-season title favourites, to Weaver Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.

Nantwich Town: Speiss, Bourne, Hughes, Stair, Webster (Morgan, 45), Hill, Baxendale (Jones, 61), Mullarkey, Clayton, Bell, Davirs (Burzinsky, 75). Subs not used: Forbes, Cooke.