A tale of two finals: Droylsden delight, Celtic sorrow

Two Tameside clubs were in play-off final action over the weekend, with contrasting emotions on display.

Firstly, Droylsden put last season’s play-off heartbreak behind them with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Merseysiders Maghull. 

After suffering defeat at this stage last season, The Bloods kept their cool this time around to earn a long-awaited promotion to the NWCFL Premier. 

Hosts Droylsden raced into an early lead, with Cody Artwell netting his first of the afternoon on 12 minutes, heading home Nellson Van’s pinpoint cross. 

But the visitors drew level before the break, with Sam Smith’s deflected effort squirming through the grasp of Jordan Latham. 

Maghull then hit the front just after the interval, with skipper Jamie Clarke on hand to convert from the spot after a clumsy challenge from Emmanuel Omorogbe, before Luis Cantello restored parity once again on the hour. 

It looked as though Dave Pace’s side had done enough to win it when Artwell stroked home his second with just 10 minutes left on the clock, only for Clarke to seal his brace with a stunning stoppage time strike to force extra time. 

After a goalless 30 minutes, The Bloods’ fate would be decided by penalties. 

With Omorogbe spurning the chance to win it with the fifth spot kick, the tie went all the way to sudden death. 

After a nail-biting end, which saw two more Droylsden players pass up on the chance to seal it, Kyle Campbell kept his cool to send the Butchers Arms into raptures. 

Pace’s side can now look forward to a local derby with Glossop next season, as well as a trip to the Isle of Man.

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic’s superb season ended in disappointment after a 4-2 defeat to Avro in the NPL West play-off final. 

Hosts Avro recovered well after a quickfire Celtic fightback to pick up a deserved victory at the Vestacare Stadium. 

The deadlock was broken in stunning fashion, with Taylor Dyson’s deadly free kick arrowing into the top left corner to give The Ro a half time lead. 

But within just two minutes of the restart, Jack Tinning’s back post header had wiped out their advantage, before Ellis Horan drilled home on the half volley to complete the turnaround ahead of the hour. 

Grant Shenton’s side restored parity just 10 minutes later, with Darrhyl Mason powering home a header before turning provider for a controversial third. 

Despite the ball appearing to cross the byline, the referee waved play on as Mason squared it on a plate for James Simms, whose volley trickled past a helpless Charlie Monks. 

With Jon Macken’s side pushing for a late equaliser, a clinical Ro counter was finished expertly by the division’s top scorer Kyle Hawley, who slotted home his 26th of the season to seal the tie once and for all deep into added time. 

The win marks a historic moment for the home side, who earned promotion to Step 3 for the first time in their history. 

Meanwhile, Celtic are set for their fourth season in the NPL West, as their wait for a return to the Premier division goes on. 

“I think we’ve had a really positive season, but we’re disappointed today,” said Jon Macken at full-time. 

“I thought the best team won on the day, Avro were excellent all over the park. 

“They were better on the ball than us, and they worked harder than us, and that’s the disappointment. 

“But we’ve got to keep going, because, as I said, it’s been a positive season as a whole.”