Weekend football round-up: Bloods two wins from Wembley

Droylsden are just two wins away from a trip to Wembley after seeing off Bilston Town away from home to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase. 

A goal in each half from The Bloods’ top scorer Nellson Van saw them cruise past their West Midlands based opponents and keep the fairytale alive. 

Van opened the scoring on 18 minutes, showing composure to round the goalkeeper and find the empty net before driving home his second 15 minutes from time and sealing a historic victory. 

Dave Pace’s side’s reward is a home tie against Spartan South Midlands League side Cockfosters. 

Elsewhere, in the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic climbed back into the play-off spots with a 4-2 win away to Congleton Town. 

An early brace from Ruben Jerome set the tone for the afternoon, as Celtic thoroughly controlled proceedings in East Cheshire. 

Jerome put the visitors ahead on 12 minutes, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home before tapping in a second at the back post just four minutes later. 

Moments later, hosts Congleton were handed a route back into the game in controversial circumstances as a penalty was awarded despite an offside in the build-up. 

Forward Max McCarthy went down under a challenge and made no mistake from 12 yards to halve the deficit going into the break. 

But any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Celtic skipper Liam Tongue curled in a third just nine minutes into the second half. 

With three minutes left on the clock, there was still time for both sides to find the net, with Andy Scarisbrick turning home a fourth on the rebound before Tom Hampton’s 90th minute strike made the scoreline slightly more respectable for the home side. 

“I thought we were excellent today, it was a really solid team performance,” said a pleased Jon Macken following the win. 

“I thought there was some really good, positive football, especially in the first half, and we were unlucky to concede before half-time. 

“So, to come out like we did in the second half is really pleasing, it was a solid away performance.” 

In the same division, Mossley came from 3-0 down to snatch a point against Wythenshawe Town, as the pair also played out a six-goal thriller at Seel Park. 

Three goals inside the closing 16 minutes saw The Lilywhites ensure the points were shared on a dramatic afternoon of football. 

The hosts got off to a nightmare start as Saj Elhassan slotted in the opener inside 60 seconds, and things would get worse as Dylan Woods’ strike was deflected beyond the despairing Fin Madigan 12 minutes later. 

Then when Kobe McWilliams turned in a third five minutes into the second half, it looked as though there would be no way back for Alex Craddock’s side. 

But they had other ideas, with Jack Marrow kicking off the fightback on 74 minutes before Reece Webb Foster cut the deficit to one with just three minutes of the 90 remaining. 

With time running out for the home side, up stepped Mason Fawns, who levelled things up in stoppage time with a superbly placed free-kick to deny the visitors their first win since New Year’s Day.  

“Yeah, 100%,” said a frustrated Alex Craddock when asked if the comeback masked a poor performance. 

“For us to come back from 3-0 down, it’s testament to us. But – no disrespect to Wythenshawe – we shouldn’t be putting ourselves in that position. 

“Up until 74 minutes, I thought we were really poor. It was night and day from Tuesday, and I can’t understand why because other than Harry (Olufowobi), it was the same 11. 

“For one reason or another, we didn’t play with anywhere as much urgency or intensity. It’s not good enough.” 

In the NPL Premier, Ashton United got back to winning ways with a hard-fought win over Warrington Town at Hurst Cross. 

A single first half goal from Jason Gilchrist was enough to see The Robins edge past The Yellows and leapfrog them in the table in the process. 

The forward poked the hosts in front on 34 minutes, and his strike proved to be decisive. 

“I thought we were outstanding today," said a delighted Steve Cunningham at full-time. 

“The conditions were tough, but as the weather deteriorated, our performance levels just went up. 

“We asked for a reaction today, because the past two results haven’t been great for us, and the performance on Tuesday was pitiful and embarrassing, and we got that.” 

In the same division, Michael Clegg was denied his first win as Hyde United boss by a late equaliser from hosts Stocksbridge Park Steels. 

Dontai Gabbidon looked to have won it as he fired The Tigers in front on his first start for the club, only for Steels to draw level three minutes from time through Connor Smythe. 

After a flurry of early chances went begging for the visitors, Gabbidon opened his account just 70 minutes into his full debut, shifting onto his right foot before drilling into the far corner. 

Hyde then let the lead slip in frustrating fashion, as a goal mouth scramble following a Steels corner saw Smythe bundle over the line and ensure the spoils were shared. 

“It’s disappointing not to take all three points,” said new Hyde assistant manager Joe Bunney following the draw. 

“Especially with the manner that we conceded, in the 87th minute from a set piece. 

“I thought we were good for large parts, but we invited pressure after we scored, and ultimately, we’ve got to try and see those games out.”  

Finally, in the National League North, Curzon Ashton came from behind to pick up a point at Peterborough Sports. 

Tony Weston’s second half strike cancelled out Max Booth’s early opener as The Nash made it back-to-back league draws. 

Mark Bradshaw's side will be hoping to get back to winning ways tonight as they welcome Marine to the Tameside Stadium