Final day round-up: Curzon Ashton suffer relegation

Despite a heroic final day comeback to rescue a point at relegation rivals Alfreton Town, results elsewhere meant Curzon Ashton’s worst fears came true, as both sides were condemned to the drop. 

With both Hereford and King’s Lynn Town picking up the points they needed for safety, The Nash’s 11-year stay in the National League North was brought to a cruel end, by the measly margin of goal difference. 

Visitors Curzon found themselves trailing by two at the break, after Siyabonga Ligendza’s spotkick was followed up by a gift from Joel Amado, who left his back pass short allowing Lewis Salmon to round Ollerenshaw and steer into an empty net. 

Salmon then sealed his brace just seven minutes after the interval, tucking home Dylan Youmbi’s cutback to leave The Nash with a mountain to climb. 

Tony Weston’s lob gave the away side hope just past the hour, before player-manager Adam Barton’s header turned hope into belief with seven minutes to play. 

Weston then grabbed his second of the afternoon in the ninth minute of injury time, poking home at the back post to set up a grandstand finish at North Street. 

Three guilt edged chances fell the way of Curzon in the final moments, with Zack Stritch failing to beat Willis from close range before the returning Brad Holmes saw his effort cleared off the line, and Barton’s towering header, which flew agonisingly over the crossbar, was the final action of the 90. 

“This is one of the lowest points I’ve had in my life,” said a distraught Barton at full-time. 

“There are people at this football club that this means something to, and there are certainly people at this club that this doesn’t mean anything to. 

“I’m not sure what happens next season, but I’m still contracted as a player, and I’ll make sure there’s people walking through that door who want to be here, otherwise they can turn back round and go home.” 

Their relegation means Barton’s side will play their football in the NPL Premier next season, which sets up local derbies with Ashton United and Hyde United. 

Elsewhere, Droylsden are through to their second NWCFL First Division North play-off final in a row after a 2-1 semi-final win over Squires Gate.  

Jordan Barnett’s second half volley saw The Bloods through at The Butchers Arms, to set up a final showdown with Maghull next Saturday. 

After a flat first half, Dave Pace’s side found their mojo in the second, with Ryan Talbot reacting the quickest to head home after Cody Artwell’s initial effort was deflected onto the crossbar. 

The lead was shortlived however, with Scott Harries firing the visitors level just two minutes later, leaving Latham rooted to the spot. 

With the minutes ticking away, it seemed the tie was heading for extra time, but Barnett had other ideas, ramming home after Talbot’s flick on to send The Bloods through with just 60 seconds of the 90 remaining. 

“It was just about going through,” a relieved Dave Pace told the Reporter following the win. 

“It wasn’t a classic by any means, and that’s not like us. 

“I lost my temper with Jordan [Barnett] at half time, but he was man enough to take it on the chin, and then goes and gets the winner. 

“But fans have been the 12th man today, and without them, I think we would’ve got beat.” 

The victory means Droylsden are now just one win from earning promotion to the NWCFL Premier. 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic secured a home tie in the play-offs with a narrow win over Chasetown. 

Jack Irlam’s second half strike was enough to see Celtic secure third place, meaning they will host Runcorn Linnets in Tuesday’s play-off semi-final. 

After a goalless first half – which had over 30 of minutes added time due to an issue with the goalposts – the deadlock was broken by the in-form Irlam just past the hour. 

The forward fired in his 15th goal of the season to help Jon Macken’s side finish the campaign with a flourish. 

“I’m delighted, said a pleased Jon Macken after the final whistle. 

“With the incident we had, it was never going to be easy standing around and then getting started again. 

“But I’m delighted with the points, delighted with the way the season has gone, and we’ve got ourselves in a good position. 

“We’ve got a home tie Tuesday night, so overall, I’m pleased.” 

Meanwhile, Hyde United finished their NPL Premier season on a high with a 3-1 win over promotion chasing Gainsborough Trinity. 

Three first half goals saw The Tigers finish the campaign in 15th, as the visitors narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. 

Hyde hit the front on 19 minutes, with captain Jack Redshaw racing in behind and slotting past the onrushing David Robson. 

Two strikes inside five minutes then saw the home side treble their lead, with Ben Kershaw’s perfectly weighted lob finding its way in before Edy Maieco turned in a third at the back post just past the half-hour mark. 

Javelle Clarke managed to cut the deficit to two late on, but the damage was already done as far as the visitors concerned, with Michael Clegg’s side seeing out an impressive victory. 

“It’s been a tough old ride that’s for sure,” revealed Clegg after the victory. 

“We’ve been a really good counter attacking side over the last 10 weeks, you give us space in behind and we can damage people, and that’s exactly what happened again today. 

“At 3-0 up, I thought it flattered us a touch, but I think we just deserved a day like today. 

“The sun was out, and everyone actually had an enjoyable day for once, rather than coming here with their hearts in their mouths and biting their nails for 90 minutes.” 

In the same division, Ashton United signed off with a hard-earned point at title hopefuls Hednesford Town. 

The Robins came from behind to lead 3-1 but a late fightback from the home side saw the points shared at Keys Park. 

Montel Gibson drilled home the opener on 11 minutes, but Callum Spooner restored parity soon after with an equally impressive strike. 

Darius Osei’s brace then saw Ashton go in at the break with a two-goal cushion, with the forward powering a header beyond Tony Breeden before slamming in the rebound after Callum Rowe’s initial effort was saved. 

Joe Doyle-Charles then swept home from close range to halve the visitors’ advantage 18 minutes from time, before George Williams’ 94th minute effort saved the hosts from suffering just their second home defeat of the campaign.  

“I thought we were fantastic,” said a delighted Steve Cunningham following the stalemate. 

“When you come to a team that’s fighting for a league title on the last day, you’ve got to show up, and I thought we did that tremendously. 

“I’m gutted, because we should’ve won the game, but we certainly did ourselves proud today.” 

The draw sees Cunningham’s side finish the campaign in 10th. 

Finally, in the NPL West, Mossley were unable to finish their campaign with a flourish as play-off chasing hosts Bootle took the spoils in Merseyside. 

A goal in each half was enough for The Bucks to deny The Lilywhites a top eight finish, as they themselves fell two points short of that all-important fifth spot. 

The home side penetrated the usually airtight Mossley backline after just 19 minutes,  when Jay Roberts’ inswinging corner was headed in by Matthew Fenton. 

This lead was doubled in second half stoppage time, when Declan Daniels exploited the visitors’ high backline to slot home a second. 

“To have a top half finish from where we were is really good, and it’s something to build on next season,” said Lilywhites boss Alex Craddock following the defeat. 

“The aim was to stay up, and I always thought we had a bit more than that in the changing room, but we’ve surpassed expectations over these past three months, we’ve been relentless. 

“Next year, the aim can’t just be to stay up, it’s got to be, ‘What can we go and achieve?’. 

“We can’t just constantly be finishing 11th to 14th, we’ve got to have the drive to think ‘Why not us?’.” 

Craddock’s side finished the campaign in 11th place, picking up an impressive 14 clean sheets along the way.