Weekend football round-up: Nash back to winning ways

Curzon Ashton got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Peterborough Sports at the Tameside Stadium. 

Alex Curran opened the scoring for The Nash on 18 minutes, firing home from close range after his initial effort was blocked. 

The hosts’ lead was almost doubled moments later when Ben Darby directed his volley goalwards, only to see his effort cleared off the line. 

Phil Brown’s side managed to fashion a couple of openings in the second half, but were unable to break down a resolute Curzon defence. 

“We maybe should’ve scored another goal, but overall, it doesn’t matter how we win as long as we get those three points,” said a satisfied Mark Bradshaw following the victory. 

“Peterborough put pressure on us, and we dealt with that pressure. 

“I still think we can be better, but the conditions were tricky, and ultimately we won the game.” 

Elsewhere, Hyde United were dumped out of the FA Trophy by Stocksbridge Park Steels, as the sides met at Ewen Fields for the second time in four days. 

A flurry of chances went begging for The Tigers early on, with Steels stopper Ben Townsend producing a couple of smart saves to deny Lewis Rawsthorn and Charlie Frost, before Jordan Scanlon blazed his effort over. 

The home side were punished for their wastefulness just past the half-hour mark when visiting right-back Jordan Lemon broke the deadlock with a pinpoint long-range effort which was arrowed into the bottom left corner. 

Hyde’s worries were compounded early in the second half when Alex O’Connor’s half-volley squirmed through the legs of Yusuf Mersin before the away side put the final nail in the coffin 12 minutes from time when Kurtis Turner lashed home James Morris’ cutback from the edge of the area to ensure his side would progress. 

“To win a football match, you’ve got to take your chances – we didn’t do that,” said a disappointed Martin Coyne following his side’s exit. 

“We should’ve come in at half time at three, four, if not five nil [up] - it’s a bitter pill to swallow.” 

In The NWCFL Premier, managerless Glossop North End ended their seven-match losing streak with a 2-0 home win over Charnock Richard. 

Assistant manager Lee Wilshaw, who took temporary charge of the side after the departure of Richard Brodie just days prior, led The Hillmen to their first win since September. 

Both strikes came in an action packed first half, with Aeron Bardsley opening the scoring on 18 minutes, before Dylan Switters fired in a second just past the half-hour mark. 

Conal Gallagher then had the chance to seal things once and for all just before the break, but the midfielder saw his spot kick cannon back out off the post. 

Despite this, GNE managed to see the game out with a minimum of fuss. 

“In regards to the football we’ve been tremendous,” said interim boss Wilshaw at full-time. 

“Over the last month we’ve been really good and been on the end of misfortune, but today the tables have turned.” 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic left the Vestacare Stadium empty handed after hosts Avro found a last-gasp winner. 

With the match still goalless after 90 minutes, it looked as though the points would be shared, only for Sam Davidson to break Celtic hearts deep into added time. 

The midfielder’s deep corner slipped through the grasp of Charlie Monks, who managed to clutch onto the ball at the second attempt, but not before it crossed the goal line. 

Jon Macken’s side had the better chances of the afternoon, but were unable to convert, with Brandon Newell heading straight at Cam Mason 10 minutes from time, after Benni Smales-Braithwaite saw his earlier effort cleared off the line. 

“I don’t think the officials helped the game if I’m honest, it seemed like they were a little bit intimidated by the environment," said a frustrated Jon Macken after the final whistle. 

“But that’s no excuse, at the end of the day it’s a needless goal to give away, and it’s disappointing. 

“We should’ve taken our chances, I think that quality in the final third throughout the game was missing, it wasn’t there at all.” 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden extended their winless streak to four league games, falling to a 3-1 defeat at home to Steeton. 

An early brace for Joshua Coe put the visitors two up, but when Caelan Kilheeney halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time, hope was restored. 

This hope was quashed 20 minutes from time however when Jake Townsend added a third and condemned the Bloods to defeat. 

Finally, Mossley were unable to build on their superb win over Bury days prior, instead returning from their trip to high-flying Shifnal Town empty handed. 

Kevin Monteiro put Shifnal ahead early on before Reece Webb-Foster restored parity just before the hour, only for the hosts to regain their lead just five minutes later when Matthew Barnes-Homer converted from the spot. 

A late strike from Jack Loughran then eased any worries of a Mossley comeback, as the hosts moved up to third in the NPL West table.