Weekend football round-up: Mossley find first win

Oumar Camara’s hat-trick inspired Mossley to a statement 4-1 win at Darlaston Town on Saturday, the first of the Alex Craddock era. 

The hosts took the lead against the run of play on 16 minutes through Fabian Salmon, but a quickfire double from Camara turned the game on its head. 

The forward rifled home on the turn to draw the Lilywhites level before tapping in from close range when Isaac Graham’s free-kick was parried into his path on the stroke of half-time. 

Obua Mugalula fired in a third before the hour mark and with 10 minutes to go, Camara sealed his hat-trick, latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Reece Webb-Foster and lifting over the onrushing goalkeeper. 

“Relieved,” said Craddock when asked on his feelings at full-time. 

“It’s a superb result and it was a superb performance in a lot of ways as well. 

“I thought that first 15 minutes was the best we’ve played all season, and when we conceded part of me thought how on earth are we behind here. 

“But we reacted perfectly well to it and managed to get two goals in the next half-hour. 

“It’s a result we’ve needed, there’s no two ways around it." 

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic made it through to the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round after a 3-2 win away to Workington. 

The visitors drew first blood on 12 minutes when Jack Irlam turned in at the back post before Benni Smales-Braithwaite doubled their lead with a moment of magic. 

The winger put Celtic in control with an early goal of the season contender, smashing in a stunning 30-yard free-kick which kissed the post on its way in. 

The hosts then pulled one back early in the second half through David Symington only for Ellis Horan to sweep home his first Celtic goal and restore the two-goal lead moments later. 

Steven Rigg’s header made for a nervy end, but Jon Macken’s side managed to hold on and seal their place in the next round, where they will face National League North side Chester. 

“I’m delighted with the result,” Macken told the club following the victory. 

“At times we caused our own issues, but we weren’t helped by the officiating. 

“Their second goal was a joke really, the ball was moving when they played it, and there was a push in the back. 

“That’s not sour grapes, it’s just reality, the officiating was really poor. 

“But I thought we were excellent, first 30 minutes we were totally in control, and I was disappointed we didn’t go in with a couple more. 

“When they got their first, they got a bit of momentum, but we dug deep and saw it through.” 

As for Ashton United and Hyde United, their FA Cup fate will be decided by midweek replays after both were involved in 2-2 draws over the weekend. 

Hyde were seconds away from progressing in their tie at home to Prescot Cables before visiting goalkeeper Calvin Hare fired in a 96th minute equaliser. 

Strikes from Antoine Makoli and Lewis Rawsthorn had given the Tigers a two-goal lead, but after Jack Goodwin halved the deficit 15 minutes from time, the stage was set for Hare to produce a hit any forward would be proud of, volleying past Mersin and forcing a replay deep into stoppage time. 

“That was typical Hyde United,” said a frustrated Nick Spooner after the final whistle.  

“We’re so exciting when we go forward, but we missed so many chances today, we should’ve had four or five. 

“It’s [the equaliser] a set play again, we didn’t react to second ball, and it’s Sod’s law that the keeper who’s been magnificent at one end goes and gets a goal at the other.” 

Should Spooner’s side come away from Tuesday’s trip to Merseyside with a win, they will host fellow NPL side Whitby Town in the Second Qualifying Round. 

Similarly, Ashton will also be wishing they got the job done away to North East Counties side Hallam. 

The Robins had nightmare start in Sheffield after Benni Ndlovu’s lob put the hosts ahead, but a quick turnaround saw them go in front. 

Callum Rowe placed home the equaliser on 23 minutes before Willem Tomlinson slammed in a second moments later, but it was the home side who had the final say, with Leon Howarth drawing them level from the spot shortly after the break. 

“I understand some of the frustrations of our supporters, but you don’t come here and steamroll these, no one will,” said Robins boss Steve Cunningham following the draw. 

“But we get the opportunity to play at home now on Wednesday, and hopefully we can play a bit more of our football.” 

Should Cunningham’s side progress, a home tie against National League North side Scarborough Athletic awaits. 

Their Ashton counterparts, Curzon Ashton, fell to defeat after a single goal was enough to see Kidderminster Harriers leave the Tameside Stadium with all three points. 

The Nash had chances early on, with former Kiddy man Charlie Weston forcing a smart save from Christian Dibble, but it was substitute Luke Spokes who fired in the decisive goal with 14 minutes to play. 

Curzon defender Marcus Poscha, who recently celebrated his 200th appearance for the club, came close to rescuing a point late on, but could only direct his shot over the bar. 

“It’s so disappointing when you put so much in, and limit Kidderminster to such little opportunities, that you don’t get that bit of luck in front of goal yourselves,” said a dissatisfied Mark Bradshaw following the loss. 

“We created more than them, and that’s the least our goalkeeper has had to do in all our games so far this season. 

“I think a fair result would have been 0-0.” 

In the North West Counties First Division North, Droylsden made it three wins in a row with a 4-1 thumping of Ashton Athletic. 

After a goalless opening 70 minutes, Sam Oliver sprung the game into life, scoring directly from a corner, before a flurry of late goals followed. 

Oliver then turned provider, crossing in for Jamie Robinson to head home, before a late brace from substitute Cody Artwell made it four. 

The hosts did manage to find a consolation goal deep into added time, but it was Dave Pace’s side who came away with a convincing win. 

Finally, in the NWCFL Premier, Glossop North End’s winless run was extended to four matches after a 1-0 defeat at home to South Liverpool. 

Josh Osifo scored the only goal of the game on 13 minutes, as Richard Brodie’s side were condemned to their third straight defeat. 

Lewis Reilly came the closest for the Hillmen, but could only direct his close-range effort onto the crossbar with five minutes to play. 

“It’s a travesty that we haven’t got something from the game,” said a crestfallen Richard Brodie after the defeat.  

“I thought we were the better side by far, and their keeper was easily man of the match. 

“Football’s cruel, but if you don’t score goals, you don’t get anything from football matches.”