Midweek football round-up: Stalybridge through in FA Cup

Stalybridge Celtic made it through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Tuesday after a 2-0 win away at Bury. 

After Saturday’s clash at Bower Fold ended all square, forcing a replay, Celtic were able to get the job done at the second time of asking. 

Jon Macken’s side took the lead on the stroke of half-time thanks to a superb overhead kick from Ruben Jerome, before Benni Smales-Braithwaite's late strike sealed their place in the next round. 

“I’m delighted with the performance,” Macken told the club following the win. 

“First half we controlled the game and created some great chances, and there was a reaction from them in the second. 

“We had to dig in at certain periods, but you expect that. It’s a great win for us.” 

Celtic will travel to NPL Premier side Workington in the next round of the competition. 

Elsewhere, in the NPL Premier, Hyde United fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Guiseley, after which Nick Spooner dubbed the first half performance ‘a disgrace’. 

The visitors found themselves two goals to the good after just 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joao Silva and John Lufudu, and there was to be no way back for the Tigers. 

“That was a shocking performance,” said a seething Spooner following the defeat. 

“The first 45 minutes was an absolute embarrassment, you can’t perform like that. 

“The one thing that’s a given in football is that you run, and not enough ran. 

“Second half we put a bit of effort in, but it’s still good enough.” 

In the same division, Ashton United were unable to build on Saturday’s 1-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels, instead falling to a defeat by the same scoreline at Rushall Olympic. 

The decisive goal came just past the hour mark when Roddy McGlinchey poked home from close range after a goal mouth scramble in the Ashton United penalty area. 

Finally, in the National League North, Curzon Ashton recorded their third consecutive 1-1 draw, earning an important point away at Chester. 

Connor Woods rifled home from the spot to put the hosts ahead early on before Jack Stobbs’ second half lob levelled the scoring. 

Following the draw, Nash boss Mark Bradshaw told the club: 

“It’s pleasing that we’ve come here and got a point, but we’re still looking for that first victory, which we need to get sooner rather than later.”