Weekend football round-up: Defeat sees Coyne call time on Tigers tenure

Hyde United slipped back into the relegation zone on Saturday after a 2-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Rushall Olympic, a result which spelled the end of Martin Coyne’s tenure. 

Coyne resigned from his post at full-time after just over three months in charge, and is set to be replaced by former Robins boss Michael Clegg. 

The Tigers got off to a nightmare start at Ewen Fields, with the visitors taking the lead in the opening minute after Harry Wakefield cut inside his man and drilled in at the near post. 

Hyde were then handed a lifeline five minutes after the break when Rushall defender Jordaan Brown was shown a second yellow card for a cynical pullback on Edy Maieco, but peculiarly, it was the away side who seemed more buoyed by the dismissal. 

They doubled their lead on the hour when Carter Lycett’s long range strike squirmed through the grasp of Mackenzie Chapman, and had the chance to add a third just seconds later when Wakefield was hauled down in the area by Lewis Thompson. 

But Chapman stood firm to deny Lycett from 12-yards and keep Hyde’s hopes hanging by a thread. 

Moments later it looked as though the hosts had lift-off, as Ben Kershaw’s outswinging cross was headed home by Maieco to halve the deficit, but despite their best efforts, Coyne’s side were unable to make their advantage count as The Pics held on to seal a crucial three points. 

The defeat leaves The Tigers two points adrift, with a game in hand on 18th placed Morpeth Town. 

Elsewhere, two of Michael Clegg’s former sides met at Hurst Cross as Ashton United saw off promotion hopefuls Warrington Rylands. 

The Robins took the lead on the half-hour mark when Darius Osei’s glancing header found the far corner, before the visitors were denied an instant response. 

Former Curzon forward George Waring lashed home on the volley four minutes later, only for the goal to be chalked off for a handball in the build-up. 

Steve Cunningham’s side then took full advantage shortly after, doubling their advantage on the stroke of half time when a cruel deflection saw former Robin Matty Regan turn beyond his own goalkeeper. 

There was a brief moment of panic late on when second half substitute Charlie Munro arrowed in from distance, but his stoppage time strike came far too late for the visitors to muster a comeback. 

“The message that we gave on Thursday was executed really well today,” said a delighted Cunningham following the win. 

“We’ve just got to keep building on these last two performances. 

“But it’s still one game at a time at the minute, because we’re still a million miles off the play-offs and where we want to be.” 

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton’s struggles continued as they followed up their 8-0 drubbing to Telford with a narrow defeat at basement club Leamington. 

A 94th minute strike from Tim Berridge saw The Nash suffer their third straight defeat as the hosts picked up their first league win since early September. 

Visitors Curzon started brightly, with Jimmy Spencer and Alex Curran forcing smart saves from Rogan Ravenhill early on, but it was the home side who drew first blood on the stroke of half-time when Max Brogan drove home from distance following a swift counter. 

Captain Spencer would then level things 12 minutes from time, taking the ball down on his chest before sweeping home the equaliser, but the home side would have the last laugh. 

With Curzon committing bodies forward, space opened up for Berridge to squeeze the ball past former teammate Callum Hawkins at the near post and steal the points deep into stoppage time. 

“The result is disappointing today, but we got a reaction from Saturday,” admitted Nash boss Mark Bradshaw following the defeat. 

“Overall, it’s a massive blow, because we certainly deserved a point, but we were up against a keeper who had an absolute worldie today.” 

In the NPL West, both Stalybridge Celtic and Mossley played out goalless draws with Nantwich Town and Witton Albion respectively. 

Celtic ended The Dabbers’ four match winning streak to claim a hard-earned point on the road and keep their grip on the final play off place. 

Jon Macken’s side were inches away from stealing all three points late on but had to settle for just one as Aaron Chalmers’ stoppage-time header was cleared off the line heroically by former Curzon and Ashton United man James Baillie. 

At Seel Park, Mossley kept their ninth clean sheet of the season as the points were shared in a game of very few chances. 

“It wasn’t a spectacle was it,” joked Lilywhites boss Alex Craddock after the stalemate. 

“It’s a good point in reality - I think there’s a lot that’s gone against us today. 

“Obz [Obua Mugalula] pulled up in the warm up, and then we’ve had two lads come off injured in the first 20, so your game plan goes out of the window. 

“Today’s been a really tough task.” 

Finally, in the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden kept the pressure on league leaders Thornton Cleveleys with a 2-0 win over Daisy Hill. 

Caelan Kilheeney’s penalty put The Bloods ahead midway through the second half before Nelson Van sealed the win six minutes from time. 

The win leaves Dave Pace’s side a point off the top with two games in hand on their title rivals.