Weekend football round-up: Defeat at Bootle seals Macken's fate

Stalybridge Celtic suffered a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Bootle on Saturday, in what proved to be Jon Macken’s final game in charge. 

The former Witton Albion boss was relieved of his duties at full-time, and leaves Celtic in 17th place, having won just three of their opening 11 NPL West matches. 

The visitors lined up with a brand-new centre back pairing following the signings of Jack Kenny and Aaron Chalmers, but were unable to keep out the free-scoring hosts, who romped to their ninth straight league win. 

Goals from Ste Edmondson and Lewis Doyle condemned the Celts to their fifth defeat of the campaign. 

Elsewhere, in the NWCFL Premier, Droylsden’s early title hopes took a blow as hosts Nelson took the spoils in a first-versus-second clash. 

Photo: Derek Lloyd / Bloods Pics

The Bloods were leapfrogged by their Lancashire opponents following a four-goal thriller, in which both sides finished with 10-men. 

Nelson stormed into an early lead, with Andy Hill smashing home from distance after just seven minutes, before Tom Pratt slotted home the equaliser soon after. 

Dave Pace’s side were then dealt a huge blow ahead of the break as skipper Caelan Kilheeney was dismissed for a handball on the goal line, with Hill keeping his cool from the resulting spot kick. 

The Admirals then doubled their lead after the interval, with Hill rifling home a second, and despite Cameron Lancaster’s dismissal cancelling out the hosts' numerical advantage, Droylsden were unable to mount a late fightback. 

The defeat leaves them two points off top spot, ahead of Longridge Town’s visit this Saturday. 

In the NPL Premier, Hyde United saw off Stockton Town to pick up their first league win since August. 

Photo: Elliot Major Creative

The Tigers came out on top at Ewen Fields thanks to a heroic performance from stopper Jordan Eastham, as well as goals from Tom Walker and Brad Roscoe. 

Michael Clegg’s side went into the break leading, with Walker finishing off a swift counter to open the scoring in first half stoppage time. 

But the visitors restored parity on the hour mark, with Josh Scott smashing down the middle after the referee belatedly pointed to the spot. 

And with just 15 to play, Roscoe provided the decisive moment, restoring Hyde’s lead with a superb acrobatic volley. 

With time ticking away, the away side began to pile on the pressure, but were unable to find a way past an inspired Eastham, who produced two flying saves to secure the points late on. 

Despite the win, Clegg was far from pleased with his side’s performance: 

“We’re really not playing well,” he admitted. 

“We don’t look fluent, we’ve got no momentum – it's just so tough to get any consistency. 

“I’m not happy, but I think we needed something like that today, where we completely didn’t deserve to win, but we have.  

“I’ll be honest, the changing room is buzzing, because we needed that as a group.” 

Meanwhile, Mossley came from behind to land a statement victory over visitors Hanley Town. 

Charlie Frost’s double completed the turnaround at Seel Park, as the Lilywhites climbed to 8th in the NPL West table. 

Alex Craddock’s side found themselves trailing at the break, with Fin Pattison climbing the highest to head home an early opener. 

But the hosts hauled themselves back level 20 minutes into the second half when Frost nodded home his eighth league goal of the campaign. 

And with just a minute of the 90 remaining, the former Hyde United man proved to be the hero once again. 

He rose high at the back post to send a looping header over Lucas Knight, sealing the points and soaring to the top of the league’s goalscoring chart. 

“I thought we were really good today,” said a delighted Craddock following the victory. 

“I’m really disappointed with how we conceded the goal, but it’s been a theme this season - we’ve gone behind in all but two of our games. 

“But we’ve then showed character, quality and desire. I think that’s as good a performance as I’ve seen since becoming manager - that second half was relentless.” 

Finally, Glossop North End fell to their fourth straight defeat, with hosts Burscough fending off a late fightback to claim all three points. 

The Hillmen found themselves three goals down and a man light midway through the second half, but two late strikes made the scoreline far more respectable. 

Glossop were always in for an uphill battle, facing one of the division’s form sides, and after falling behind early on, their task was made even more difficult when Jake Barnes was sent off for a second bookable offence soon after. 

Hosts Burscough were then denied from the spot thanks to a superb save from Ollie Martin, but found the breakthrough early in the second half, netting either side of the hour. 

Substitute Adenkunle Badmus then gave GNE a glimmer of hope with 10 to play, before Alex Sami’s free kick set up a grandstand finish, but despite their best efforts, Lee Wilshaw’s side were unable to find an equaliser. 

“Overall, it’s not the result we wanted, but it’s a performance the lads can look to build on,” revealed Wilshaw following the defeat. 

“We’ve done really well to make sure the goal difference wasn’t impacted, and towards the end of the game, we’ve had a real good go, and potentially could’ve snatched something from it.”