Weekend football round-up: Cantello clinches late victory

Droylsden retained top spot in the NWCFL First Division North in dramatic fashion on Saturday, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Luis Cantello. 

A goal at the end of each half saw The Bloods see off hosts Bacup Borough and stay ahead of chasers Nelson on goal difference. 

Following a hat trick in midweek, Droylsden forward Cody Artwell picked up where he left off, opening the scoring on the stroke of half time with a stooping header. 

It looked like the hosts had rescued a point late on when Oliver Hodgson found an equaliser in the final minute of the 90, but Cantello was on hand to spare The Bloods’ blushes in added time and head home the winner. 

Elsewhere, in the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic came from behind to see off title hopefuls Avro at Bower Fold. 

Celtic found themselves trailing at the break thanks to Kyle Hawley’s early spot-kick, but another second half brace from Jack Irlam saw them claim a crucial three points. 

Hawley sent Monks the wrong way after he brought down Ro forward Darrhyl Mason in the area to net his 21st goal of the season. 

Avro had goalkeeper Cam Mason to thank for preserving their lead, with the former Curzon man showing sharp reactions to keep out Ruben Jerome’s header before diving low to deny Ellis Horan moments later.  

Hosts Celtic finally made their pressure count just past the hour, with Irlam tucking home from the spot after he was clipped inside the box by David Fitzpatrick. 

Minutes later, the in-form Irlam fired the home side in front, smashing in from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround in style. 

“It’s a massive result,” a delighted Jon Macken told the Reporter at full-time. 

“They’re up there for a reason, so we know they’re a good team. 

“It’s disappointing to go behind, but overall, I’m absolutely delighted with the performance, and obviously, the three points.” 

The win means Macken’s side keep pace with play-off rivals Vauxhall Motors, who they trail by a single point, but have a game in hand. 

In the same division, 10-man Mossley extended their unbeaten run to nine matches after a 1-1 draw with Shifnal Town. 

The Lilywhites went ahead initially, but Shifnal’s pressure told as a late equaliser saw the points shared at Seel Park. 

Rio Alston opened the scoring on the hour, smashing into the roof of the net before Obua Mugalula saw his curling effort tipped onto the bar moments later. 

Fawns’ denial of a goal scoring opportunity then saw the hosts reduced to 10, a moment which changed the course of proceedings. 

After a string of smart saves, visitors Shifnal finally found a way past Fin Madigan on 79 minutes when Macauley Taylor turned in the leveller. 

“Being unbeaten for a length of time doesn’t bother me, I’d rather win games,” admitted Mossley boss Alex Craddock following the stalemate. 

“It’s a good point in the end after Mason’s sending off, but it’s just frustrating. 

“It’s frustrating that we’ve got ourselves in a winning position and not been able to kick on.” 

In the NPL Premier, Hyde United’s relegation six-pointer with Prescot Cables ended all square at Ewen Fields. 

A topsy turvy afternoon saw the pair remain locked on both points and goal difference, and stay two clear of the dreaded drop zone. 

A cheap giveaway allowed Paul Murphy-Worrall in on goal early on, who steered past Stowell to break the deadlock on six minutes. 

Former Cables man Edy Maieco then restored parity on the half hour mark, smashing in at the near post to take the sides in level. 

Hyde then hit the front just ahead of the hour, with Dontai Gabbidon racing in behind and slotting in a second. 

Visiting forward Jack Goodwin then rounded off the scoring 10 minutes later to ensure the spoils were shared. 

“We’ve got some really good footballers in this group, but when you go 2-1 up with half an hour to go it just needs managing better,” said a frustrated Michael Clegg following the defeat. 

“I thought at 2-1 we just looked like a team who were playing with no consequences, and ultimately, we got what we deserved.” 

Meanwhile, in the National League North, Curzon Ashton suffered their third straight defeat as league leaders South Shields were comfortable 3-0 victors in the North East. 

Two early strikes set the tone for The Mariners, who extended their lead at the top to four points. 

Sean McGurk’s deflected strike flew past the helpless Hawkins with just three minutes on the clock, before Paul Blackett turned in a second just twelve minutes later. 

Daniel Dodds then made the win a touch more emphatic, sneaking in at the back post to poke home a third just before the end and compound Curzon’s misery. 

“Whenever you play a full-time team, it’s going to be tough,” revealed Nash boss Mark Bradshaw after the final whistle. 

“I felt at times we were bright, especially in the second half. 

“But the goals we gave away were unnecessary.” 

Bradshaw’s side will look to turn around their fortunes on Tuesday when they welcome Oxford City to the Tameside Stadium. 

Finally, Ashton United’s hopes of mounting a late play-off push are all but over after Leek Town left Hurst Cross with all three points. 

A single goal from former Hyde United forward Connor Heath saw The Robins suffer their fourth defeat in six matches. 

Mikey O’Neill rattled the bar early on, but that was the closest the hosts came to scoring, with Heath tapping home the winner mid-way through the second half. 

“I thought we played really well first half,” said Robins boss Steve Cunningham following the defeat. 

“But to concede a goal like that, it’s just poor. 

“Then I saw that gutless, characterless performance that we’ve got in us, and it made me really angry.”