Weekend football round-up: Barton on target as Nash end winless streak

Curzon Ashton ended their 10-match winless run on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 victory at Chorley, to move them six points clear of the National League North relegation zone. 

Player-manager Adam Barton took matters into his own hands, as his superb first half volley was the difference between the two sides in Lancashire. 

Barton broke the deadlock just before the break, smashing into the roof of the net after Ruben Curley’s deep corner was headed into his path by Joel Amado. 

It could have been two soon after, with Alex Curran latching onto Mark Ellis’ underhit backpass, but failing to beat the onrushing Matt Unwin. 

The Nash had another golden opportunity to double their advantage after the break, but after Curran’s flick on, Ben Darby could only direct his header straight at Unwin from a matter of yards. 

But Barton’s side managed to hold onto their slender advantage to pick up their first league win since February. 

“Ever since I stepped into the job, they’ve [the players] given me nothing but 100%. Today I asked for 110%, and they did it,” said Barton at full-time. 

“We came here with a game plan, and they executed it perfectly. 

“We will not stop fighting for this club, whoever watched that game today will see that, and we will not stop doing that until that final whistle goes at Alfreton.”  

Elsewhere, in the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic’s run of eight straight league wins came to an end at relegation threatened Sporting Khalsa. 

A goal in each half was enough to see the 10-man hosts through, as Celtic suffered their first defeat since New Year’s Day. 

Benni Smales-Braithwaite hit the post for the visitors early on, but the home side drew first blood on 23 minutes through Rahis Nabi’s long-range strike. 

Khalsa were then reduced to ten just seven minutes into the second period, with Narel Phillips sent for an early bath for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity. 

But Jon Macken’s side were unable to make their advantage count, with Kieron Whittaker adding a late second to make doubly sure of the points. 

“We’re disappointed,” said Macken following the defeat. 

“We go into every game trying to win, but credit to them, they’re fighting for their lives, and it happens. 

“But we’ve cemented a play-off place, and we’ve got to take big credit for that.” 

In the same division, Mossley’s 1-0 win at home to Darlaston Town saw the visitors relegated, as The Lilywhites got back to winning ways at Seel Park. 

Oumar Camara’s second half strike proved to be decisive, as the hosts kept their 14th clean sheet of the season to move into the top 10. 

Mossley had two great opportunities either side of the interval, with Jack Marrow seeing his effort clip the post before Camara’s deft chip gave the home side the lead. 

From there, Alex Craddock’s side managed to see the game out, and confirm Darlaston’s relegation. 

“I thought we started really bright, but then the weather turned, and it became about not making a mistake,” revealed Craddock after the final whistle. 

“We tried and tried to get the second goal, but it wasn’t meant to be. 

“But it’s three points, it’s kept us in the hunt for eighth, and we go again next week.” 

Meanwhile, in the NPL Premier, Ashton United did Tameside neighbours Hyde United a favour by seeing off fellow strugglers Workington at Hurst Cross. 

After a goalless first half, two quickfire finishes saw The Robins pull away in the second, to move up to tenth in the table. 

Alex Byrne opened the scoring directly from a corner just four minutes after the restart, before Darius Osei turned home from the rebound five minutes later to put the hosts in control. 

Visitors Workington did manage to halve the deficit late on, but Matthew Tymon’s 88th minute header was merely a consolation. 

“It was a really good, solid performance today,” said a pleased Steve Cunningham, who was absent from the dugout after serving a touchline ban. 

“The lads have executed absolutely everything that I’ve talked about, and I want to say a big thank you to my management team today. 

“We played a lot of good football today, but you’re looking back and kicking yourself, thinking, why didn’t we just do this about four or five weeks ago?” 

Finally, in the same division, Hyde’s 1-1 draw at Whitby Town was enough to keep them outside the relegation zone. 

Tunde Owolabi’s early goal saw The Tigers rescue a point, and extend the buffer between themselves and the drop zone to three. 

Former Ashton United forward Jake Charles powered the hosts in front after just five minutes, before Owolabi tapped home Dontai Gabbidon’s cross 19 minutes later to complete the scoring. 

“It’s an opportunity missed,” admitted Tigers boss Michael Clegg after the stalemate. 

“I thought it was a poor game to be honest. 

“The wind has played a huge part, they had it in the first half, we had it in the second, and we both struggled to get the ball down and play. 

“It was definitely a fair result, I just don’t think either team did enough to win the game.”