Weekend football round-up: Mossley maul the Lions

Mossley moved up to 8th in the NPL West on Saturday after a 4-0 thrashing of Sporting Khalsa at Seel Park.

Obua Mugalula opened the scoring for the Lilywhites on 26 minutes, firing into the bottom corner from just outside the area. 

It took Alex Craddock’s side until the 86th minute to double their lead, with Mason Fawns converting from the spot, before two stoppage time strikes made the win even more emphatic. 

Sean Kgwakgwa turned in Gee Baltazar’s cutback to make it three, before Kgwakgwa turned provider, laying it on a plate for Reece Webb-Foster to smash home a fourth. 

“The second goal was massive for us,” said a relieved Craddock at full-time. 

“There was a huge sense of relief around entire ground when that went in. 

“We got so much stronger as the game went on, the subs made a massive difference again. 

“Whether it’s a 4-0 game, I’m not entirely sure if I’m being honest, they gave us a really good game, especially second half. 

“But we were resilient, didn’t concede, and managed to get four, so I’m made up.” 

This weekend sees the Lilywhites travel to strugglers Witton Albion. 

Elsewhere, Droylsden cruised into the next round of the FA Vase with a win at Nostell Miners Welfare by the same margin. 

Nellson Van continued his rich vein of form, putting the Bloods ahead with his eighth of the season just five minutes in before Yasir Salim added a second 20 minutes later. 

Kyle Campbell then made it three just before the half-hour mark with his fifth of the campaign before Salim rounded off a comprehensive victory with his second of the afternoon five minutes into the second half. 

Dave Pace’s side are back in action this Friday when they welcome Maine Road to the Butchers Arms for a Macron Cup First Round tie. 

In the NPL Premier, Hyde United were minutes away from earning a point away at Warrington Rylands, but two late goals from the hosts saw them steal all three. 

The Tigers found themselves trailing by two at the break after former Ashton United winger Ben Hardcastle put the home side ahead from the spot before ex-Curzon forward George Waring stabbed home a second at the back post. 

Two goals inside four minutes then saw Martin Coyne’s side draw level early in the second half, with Lewis Rawsthorn pulling one back on the slide before Jack Redshaw tapped home after Charlie Frost’s initial effort was tipped onto the crossbar. 

But Hosts Rylands would have the final say, regaining the lead in stoppage time in rather fortunate circumstances, with Taylor McMahon turning Hardcastle’s cross into his own net before Ryan Tioffo compounded Hyde’s misery with a fourth. 

“That was very tough to take,” said a gutted Coyne after the defeat. 

“Let’s take positives out of it, second half I thought we were excellent. 

“We did things in the right manner, but we’ve just switched off for two minutes at the end. 

“That’s something for me, Bunny [Harry Bunn] and Chris [Shaw] to look at, and we’ll educate our lads and get them going again.” 

Hyde’s attention turns to the FA Cup this weekend as they host NPL East side Matlock Town in the Third Qualifying Round. 

Meanwhile, Ashton United also fell to defeat at home to Lancaster City. 

First half goals from Dom Lawson and Sam Amison saw the Dolly Blues go into the break two goals to the good, before Sam Bailey added a third from the spot just before the hour. 

The Robins were then handed a lifeline moments later when Al Byrne’s cross was directed into his own net by Toby Oliver, but their hopes of mounting a comeback depleted when Ben Horne was sent off for a high challenge on Jim Craig just four minutes after entering the pitch.  

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” said Robins boss Steve Cunningham after the final whistle. 

“First half we were just not at the races, we didn’t play well at all. 

“The amount of turnovers and cheap giveaways was scary, we just didn’t adapt to the conditions, and they did.” 

Cunningham’s side are also in FA Cup action this Saturday, as they travel to NPL West side Runcorn Linnets. 

Likewise, their Ashton counterparts, Curzon Ashton, were beaten at home by league leaders South Shields. 

Paul Blackett broke the deadlock after just 18 minutes, taking it round the onrushing Callum Hawkins and slotting into the empty net before Caden Kelly curled in a second midway through the second half. 

With 16 minutes to play, The Nash found a route back into the game when Brad Holmes converted from 12 yards after he was brought down by goalkeeper Jasper Sheik, but the hosts were unable to find an equaliser. 

Adam Barton did have the ball in the net moments before the end, but the referee’s whistle sounded just in time as far as the visitors were concerned, for a handball from Jimmy Spencer in the build-up. 

“It’s difficult to criticise lads who have given us everything today,” said Nash boss Mark Bradshaw following the loss. 

“I thought long and hard about what team I wanted to start, I left out a couple of players who’ve done really well, and I wanted to frustrate South Shields. 

“But it’s disappointing that for all of their quality, it was something basic from our point of view that gave them the first goal. 

“The plan was to restrict them and cause them problems through our substitutes, which we did, but that second goal just killed us.” 

Curzon travel to fellow National League North side Chester this weekend as they look to progress to the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round. 

On Friday night, Stalybridge Celtic’s FA Trophy campaign came to an end after a 3-0 defeat at home to NPL West leaders Lower Breck. 

The hosts thought they’d taken the lead early on when Jack Irlam turned in after Benni Smales-Braithwaite's effort came back out off the bar, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s raised flag. 

Sam Burns then put the visitors in front on the stroke of half time before Harry McGee doubled his side’s advantage 19 minutes from time. 

Burns then made it a brace with three minutes to play, volleying home to seal Breck’s place in the next round. 

“We didn’t play well at all,” said a disappointed Jon Macken following his side’s exit. 

“There were too many off it, too many loose balls, and we just didn’t seem to get going. 

“But credit to them, they played well and thoroughly deserved the win.” 

Celtic are back to league action on Tuesday night as they welcome Darlaston Town to Bower Fold. 

Finally, in the NWCFL Premier, Glossop North End bounced back from Tuesday’s defeat with a 2-1 win away at West Didsbury & Chorlton. 

After a goalless first half, the Hillmen went ahead just a minute into the second when James Purfield slotted home from the edge of the box, before Adam Jones nodded in an equaliser 17 minutes before the end. 

But Richard Brodie’s side were not satisfied with just a point, with Dylan Switters flicking in a winner just five minutes later. 

“I thought we were unbelievable,” said a defiant Richard Brodie following the victory. 

“I’ve had the finger pointed at me for the last five weeks, but to come here and defeat a team that were in the play-offs last season, what a result, what a feeling.” 

Brodie’s side are back in action on Tuesday night, as they visit Cheadle Town.