Weekend football round-up: Coyne off to a flyer

Hyde United made it through to the first-round proper of the FA Trophy on Saturday after a 1-0 win at home to Warrington Town. 

Jack Redshaw’s first half strike was enough to see Martin Coyne get his permanent reign off to a flying start. 

The skipper gave The Tigers the lead five minutes before the break, cutting in from the left and feeding the ball into the far corner after a swift counter lead by Matty Fearnley. 

From there, the hosts managed to see the game out and seal their place in the next round. 

“I thought we dug deep,” said the newly appointed Coyne at full time. 

“If I’m being honest, it wasn’t our best performance. 

“But the lads showed character today, they put their bodies on the line, and got another clean sheet.” 

Coyne’s side will host either Silsden of the NPL East or fellow NPL Premier side Stocksbridge Park Steels in the next round. 

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win at Oxford City. 

Tony Weston put The Nash ahead on four minutes, turning in at the back post after Jack Stobbs’ drilled cross was directed into his path by Ben Darby. 

The hosts came close to levelling the scoring just five minutes later when Josh Ashby’s curling effort smashed off the post, moments before Curzon full-back Chi Ezennolim fired over against his former club. 

Mark Bradshaw’s side went into the break leading, but this would only last a matter of moments as Ewan Clarke volleyed home on 52 minutes to level the scoring. 

But it was the visitors who would have the final say, with Darby reacting the quickest to head home with 12 minutes to play after Alex Curran’s initial effort was kept out superbly by Sam Lewis. 

“I’m very pleased we got the result,” said Curzon assistant head coach Jack Salkeld following the win.  

“We needed a reaction from the disappointing result last week, we’re still hurting from that. 

“I’m just happy for the fans and directors, it’s been a tough week for the football club, and we’ve shown what we are about.” 

Elsewhere, Ashton United’s misery continued as they exited the FA Trophy after a 2-1 defeat at home to Clitheroe. 

The injury hit Robins found themselves trailing by two at the break thanks to strikes from Leon Creech and Veron Parny, and despite Luca Navarro pulling one back 22 minutes from time, the hosts were unable to muster a fightback. 

“We seem to be happy to give teams two nil head starts at the minute,” joked Ashton boss Steve Cunningham after the final whistle. 

“Tuesday was disappointing, it was a great opportunity, and I think that’s why I was more angry. 

“Whereas today, you’ve only got to look at who we’ve got missing. 

“People say don’t look for excuses but if we played Clitheroe or Runcorn Linnets in a game where we’ve got everyone fit, we beat them.” 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic suffered only their second league defeat of the season thanks to a last gasp winner from hosts Kidsgrove Athletic. 

After a goalless first half, Celtic debutant Tunde Olowabi fired his side in front just before the hour mark only for the hosts to equalise ten minutes later through Matt Rhead. 

Just as it looked like Jon Macken’s side had done enough for a point, Alex Barnett completed the Kidsgrove comeback, dinking the ball over Charlie Monks in added time to steal the win. 

“We threw it away,” said a frustrated Jon Macken following the loss. 

“I don’t think it was the best of games, we were poor in many areas, and there weren’t many chances for both teams. 

“I think we just lacked a little bit of quality all over the pitch, and a little bit of that fighting spirit. 

“They worked harder and fought for the ball a lot more than we did and that’s what’s cost us.” 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden retained top spot after coming from behind to draw 3-3 at Thornton Cleveleys. 

Kyle Campbell put The Bloods ahead on 14 minutes but two quickfire goals from the hosts turned the game on its head. 

Thornton then added a third after the break before Dave Pace’s side mounted a comeback. 

Nellson Van halved the deficit just ahead of the hour before Cody Artwell’s 96th minute header rescued a point. 

Finally, in the NWCFL Premier Division, Glossop North End fell to their third straight defeat at home to Chadderton. 

A brace from former Stalybridge and Curzon man Benito Lowe and a Lewis Simon-Byrne penalty saw the Hillmen sink to 19th in the table. 

“I think in the first half an hour, there was a complete lack of desire, a complete lack of energy, I was embarrassed to watch it," said a seething Richard Brodie at full time.

“We conceded three awful goals, and other than that, Harry [Allen] hasn’t had a shot to save.”