Bloods stun Nash in all-Tameside final

Droylsden lifted the Manchester Premier Cup for the first time since 2011 on Wednesday night after seeing off Tameside neighbours Curzon Ashton in the final. 

Goals from Caelan Kilheeney and Cody Artwell saw The Bloods stun their National League North opponents in front of a bumper Broadhurst Park crowd. 

Dave Pace’s side – who play their football four leagues below The Nash – started on the front foot, and found the breakthrough inside the opening 10 minutes when Artwell’s cutback picked out Kilheeney, who steered in off the post from close range. 

Curzon came close to levelling things soon after, with Jordan Latham spreading himself well to deny Alex Curran, before Charlie Weston produced a heroic goal line clearance to deny Droylsden a second on the stroke of half-time. 

But The Bloods couldn’t be denied for long, adding a second just after the break when Artwell’s superbly weighted lob found a way past the onrushing Josh Ollerenshaw.   

After a string of smart saves, The Nash finally found a way past Latham in the dying moments, but Ben Darby’s 89th minute strike proved to be too little too late, with Droylsden holding on for an impressive victory. 

“It’s nice to get the fans a trophy,” a pleased Dave Pace told the Reporter at full-time. 

“They’ve come out in their numbers all year to support us, and I just hope we can finish it off by getting promoted.” 

Pace's men play their final league match of the season this weekend before next week's NWCFL First Division North play-off semi-final. 

Meanwhile, Curzon have two games left to secure their National League North safety.