Midweek football round-up: Curzon edge six goal thriller

Hyde United and Curzon Ashton played out a six-goal thriller at Ewen Fields on Tuesday, with The Nash progressing to the next round of the Manchester Premier Cup thanks to a 5-4 shootout win. 

The topsy turvy evening began with visitors Curzon steaming into a 2-0 lead after just 16 minutes, with Alex Curran smashing home on the half volley before teenage winger Ben Connolly tapped into the empty net after Jack Stafford’s inch perfect cut back. 

On a night blessed with some superb strikes, Tigers full-back Harry Ditchfield scored the pick of the bunch to halve the deficit, with his volley from the edge of the area arrowing into the top right corner. 

Mark Bradshaw’s side then took control of the second period, but the momentum shifted 20 minutes from time when Hyde’s substitutes combined to draw them level, with Max Harrop putting it on a plate for Lewis Rawsthorn, who couldn’t miss. 

With the home side now in the ascendency, they took full advantage, with Max Harrop steering in what looked like the winner seven minutes from time, but there was still time for some late drama. 

With just two minutes of the 90 to go, former Hyde forward Brad Holmes nodded in the equaliser to take the match all the way to penalties. 

Rawsthorn was the unfortunate man to miss his crucial spot kick, which saw The Nash progress to the quarter-final of the competition. 

“It’s a cup we take seriously, and one we want to win,” Curzon assistant head coach Jack Salkeld told the Reporter following the victory. 

“It also allows us to give minutes to lads who need them, so we’re happy to get the win.” 

“If you take away the first 15 minutes, I thought we ran the show,” said opposing manager Martin Coyne. 

“Second half we came out like a train, but again it comes down to mistakes. 

“We can’t give goals away like that, we’re on an uphill battle straight away.” 

Elsewhere, in the same competition, Ashton United edged past Trafford at Hurst Cross in similar fashion.

After a goalless draw, the contest was decided by a shootout, with former Robin Lee Rick missing the crucial spot kick to send Steve Cunningham's side through.

Finally, Rick's former club, Glossop North End, progressed to the quarter-final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup after coming from behind to see off Matlock Town at the Asgard Engineering Stadium. 

The NPL East high-flyers took a 1-0 lead into half-time thanks to a strike from former Hyde winger Jake Thompson, but a quickfire double from Adem Oureghi saw the Hillmen rise from the ashes and flip the tie on its head. 

With 20 minutes to go, the forward turned in a cross from Gabby Mooney-Munoz – whose evening marked a half century of appearances for the club – before firing in an 89th minute winner from distance to break Matlock hearts. 

“I’m massively pleased,” said GNE boss Lee Wilshaw following the win. 

“After Saturday and the way it finished, it was important to get over the line tonight. 

“We’ve got a good dressing room and it’s nice to be able to show that here at home.”