Alan Morgan, deputising in Neil Young's absence, named a squad which featured just four trialists, three of whom were named as substitutes, as the Marine squad settles into place ahead of the new season.

The Mariners enjoyed a bright start to the game and Niall Cummins spurned a presentable chance as he sidefooted over the bar from the edge of the box following a mix-up in the home defence.

However the ex-Burscough striker wasn't to be denied and gave the Whites the lead just before the quarter-hour mark. Josh Solomon-Davies surged down the right-flank and although he was upended by a Celtic defender the loose ball was collected by Brett Mbalanda. The French front-man slid a lovely ball through for Cummins to finish into the far corner despite satsuma-suited stopper Wright getting a touch on the ball.

The Mariners continued to offer attacking threat throughout the half, though the Tamesiders grew into the game and enjoyed a prolonged spell of possession and pressure around the half-hour mark.

The Celtic equaliser proved the highlight of the afternoon from a footballing perspective, as a throw-in on the Stalybridge left was touched into Valentine's path, the ex-Scarborough midfielder sending a beautiful first-time half-volley from 25 yards arcing into the top corner despite a despairing dive from Marine's trialist 'keeper.

The second half saw the usual pre-season raft of substitutions which disrupted the game and altered the dynamic of what had been a well-contested and evenly-matched game to that point. Cummins volleyed over from 12 yards with the Mariners' best chance of the half following another slick attack.

Celtic notched the winning goal on 74 minutes as a corner played deep beyond the back post was headed back across goal, and as the Mariners were unable to clear their lines the ball was prodded home, with substitute McLaughlin claiming the final touch.

Referee Goodwin ensured that the post-match terrace and boardroom focus was all about his performance, as he brandished two yellow cards and the obligatory red in the direction of Marine substitute Ethan Devine in the latter stages of the game, apparently for words spoken out of turn. It certainly capped an "interesting" afternoon for the arbiter, as he achieved the notable distinction of riling the players and officials of both sides, despite the game being fairly contested throughout with good football produced by both teams.

Marine: Trialist, Josh Solomon-Davies, James Ellison, James Devine, Anthony Miley, Kenny Strickland, Francois Antoine, Steve Irwin, Niall Cummins (c), Brett Mbalanda, James Barrigan.

Subs: Craig Lindfield, Ethan Devine, Rumenio Barai, Kieran Holsgrove, Germano Mendes, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Patrick Staunton.

Stalybridge Celtic: Charles Wright, Declan Walker, Danny King, Adam Freeland, Steve O'Halloran, Mark Lees, Craig Cook, Ross Dent, Craig Hobson, Nathan Valentine, Neil Kengni.

Subs: Brad McLaughlin, Chris Harris, Rory Schlein, Eddie Kennett, Simon Lambert.

Referee: Rob Goodwin
Assistants: Phil Broadbent and Ed Beresford.

Goals: Marine; Cummins (14)
Stalybridge: Valentine (36), McLaughlin (74).