Weekend football round-up: FA Cup misery for Stalybridge, Mossley and Droylsden

It was a weekend to forget for the majority of our Tameside clubs, with five out of six sides suffering defeat. 

Only Ashton United were able to put a point on the board, earning a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Emley. 

The Robins took the lead on the hour, with Kurt Willoughby firing home on the turn, only for Diego Di Girolamo to haunt his former boss and level the scoring just three minutes later. 

“It’s disappointing because I think we controlled most of the game,” said first-team coach Damian Crossley following the stalemate. 

“They had a lot of the ball, but they never really did anything with it. 

“We’d have taken 10 points from five at the start, but I just think today, I wonder if we could’ve won it.” 

Elsewhere, after a duo of cup exits, Glossop North End got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Chadderton. 

Photo: Steve Dyson

Ethan Sutcliffe’s early strike was enough to see the Hillmen through, as a spirited defensive display saw them take all three points at Surrey Street. 

“That shows the character of the group,” said a delighted Lee Wilshaw at full-time. 

“It’s fantastic to get back to winning ways, and it’s nice to see a full Surrey Street again, with people back onside and back smiling. 

“We’ve done really well in the league in terms of form, so long may that continue.” 

Meanwhile, all three local sides in FA Cup action were dumped out of the competition at the Preliminary Round stage. 

Stalybridge Celtic suffered a shock defeat to step 5 side Tadcaster Albion, who saw off Glossop in the previous round. 

With just seven played, Oliver Green produced a moment of magic to give the hosts the lead, chasing down a loose ball before volleying over the helpless Charlie Monks from a tight angle. 

The home side then doubled their advantage four minutes later, with Harry Croft pouncing on a mix up between Josh Granite and his own goalkeeper to prod home a second. 

Visitors Celtic did manage to halve the deficit 18 minutes from time through Jack Irlam’s superb volley, but were unable to muster a late comeback, with the home side securing a place in the First Qualifying Round. 

“I’m really disappointed,” said a devastated Jon Macken following the defeat. 

“I’m disappointed for the football club, I’m disappointed for the supporters. They’re entitled to have a reaction at the end of the game, I’m totally with them. 

“We tried everything, but we just weren’t good enough today.” 

Mossley were unable to avenge last season’s exit to Bradford (Park Avenue), who progressed once again in even more emphatic fashion this time around. 

The Lilywhites were on the end of a 4-0 thumping at Seel Park, as two goals in each half was enough to see the West Yorkshire visitors through. 

Charlie Winfield opened the scoring on 11 minutes, ramming home from the rebound after Marcus Carver’s initial effort was saved, before Scott Duxbury rifled in a second just moments later. 

Hosts Mossley were handed a lifeline just before the break, with the referee pointing to the spot after a challenge on Kyle Campbell, but Mason Fawns could only rattle the bar from 12 yards. 

Carver added a third after the interval, driving through the legs of Fin Madigan before Robbie Fox tapped in a fourth at the back post to secure the victory. 

"I just don’t think we’ve turned up – that's the bottom line of it,” admitted Alex Craddock following his side’s exit. 

“Team selection wise, I think I got it wrong. I brought lads in for certain reasons and they didn’t do it. 

“The result is on me effectively, but the manner of how we’ve lost the game, the lads have got to take a lot from that.” 

Lastly, Droylsden bowed out with their heads held high after defeat to step 5 side Garforth Town. 

Photo: Derek Lloyd - Bloods Pics

After falling behind, the Bloods dragged themselves level late on, only for the visitors to net a cruel last-minute winner. 

The West Yorkshire side stormed into an early lead at the Butchers Arms, with Niall Tilsley turning home from a corner on 13 minutes, before a bizarre equaliser restored parity. 

Jordan Barnett’s deep in-swinging corner went all the way in, breathing life into Dave Pace’s side with seven minutes on the clock. 

But James Burgess delivered the final blow in the closing minute of the 90, beating the offside trap before slotting under the onrushing Jordan Latham. 

Meanwhile, after two league wins on the bounce, Hyde United were brought back down to earth with a narrow defeat at home to new boys Avro. 

Former Tiger Harry Showman opened the scoring in a flash, drilling home at the near post to give The Ro an early lead. 

From there, Michael Clegg’s side did little to trouble the visitors’ goal, who held on to take the spoils at Ewen Fields. 

“I thought we were really flat,” said a frustrated Clegg after the final whistle. 

“We created a couple of openings, but Avro got the win, and they deserved it. 

“We just couldn’t break them down today, and their team spirit shone through.” 

Finally, Curzon Ashton’s nightmare run continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Guiseley. 

All three strikes came in the first half, as Adam Barton’s men came out on the losing side for the third time in four league matches. 

“We are a relegated team. It winds me up the fact that people on the outside think you can just click your fingers and we start winning games of football,” said a passionate Barton following the loss. 

“The last team to bounce back up from this league was Altrincham in 2017, it’s not as easy as people think. 

“People need to start changing their mindset on things and sticking together.  

“It seems like there are people in the club who are just waiting to say something negative – it's driving me insane to be quite honest with you.”