Weekend football round-up: Nash into FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round

Curzon Ashton are one win away from a third successive crack at the FA Cup First Round after coming through a tight encounter at Southport.

Stefan Mols had a goal disallowed for offside on 15 minutes for the Nash in an otherwise uneventful first half. 

Despite the home side – who beat Hyde United in the previous round – having the better of the early exchanges in the second period, Curzon settled into their rhythm and took a deserved lead with 8 minutes left. 

The in-form Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored the decisive goal after galloping into the Southport box, curling a shot past former Curzon keeper Chris Renshaw. 

Player-manager Craig Mahon brought himself on to help see the game out in his 175th appearance for the club and put them in the hat for Monday’s Fourth Qualifying Round draw. 

It was a tougher weekend for our sides in the Northern Premier League (NPL), although Ashton United managed to salvage a point after being 2-0 down in a battle of the Robins at Ilkeston Town. 

Tom Cursons and Tom Marshall put the home side two clear in the opening 25 minutes, but a goal just before half-time from Jason Gilchrist put Ashton back in contention. 

Ilkeston’s Connor Dixon picked up a second yellow card with 20 minutes to go and were immediately punished by Steve Cunningham’s side.  

Darius Osei prodded home a rebound after Dan Cowan’s header from a corner ricocheted off the woodwork to level the game. 

However, both teams finished with ten men when Sam Baird was also shown a second yellow just before full-time. 

“I don’t think it was our best day,” Cunningham told the club’s YouTube channel. “I’m not going to dig anybody out, but you look at the two goals we’ve given away today and they’re just poor. 

“We lost the plot and you think it’s going to be one of them days, but at 2-0 down you’re looking for leaders, and I thought we were the better side in the last ten minutes of the first half.” 

“Gilly’s took his goal really well. The sending off has changed the game, we were in the ascendency, we scored, and you thought we were going to go on and win the game, but credit to Deeks’s [Ilkeston boss, Ian Deakin) team and the way they’ve defended.” 

Hyde United also left themselves with an uphill struggle after falling behind to two early Jordan Buckley goals against FC United at Ewen Fields. 

Matt Fearnley hauled Hyde back into it with a wonder strike on 17 minutes, but an inspired Buckley notched his hat-trick to ensure FC – playing their first game under new manager Mark Beesley – went into the break 3-1 ahead. 

The Tigers ironed out their defensive creased in the second half, and although Jack Redshaw’s 8th goal of the season put them back within touching distance, Nick Spooner’s side slipped to only their 2nd home defeat since last November. 

“They’ve had three shots all game,” Spooner said. “If you look at the possession, we’re probably 70% plus, but that doesn’t win you games.

“If you play like that, you win most matches. We’ve got a good footballing side, we’ve just got to learn from our mistakes. The last four goals we’ve conceded have been a disgrace, and we’ve just got to tighten up. 

“We’re still fine, but we’ve got to get back to our winning ways.” 

In the NPL West, Mossley are still hunting their first away win of the campaign after going down to a 4-1 defeat at Runcorn Linnets. 

Luke Wall put the home side ahead after just 52 seconds, but Mason Fawns equalised for the Lilywhites from the spot 10 minutes later after Eric Yahaya was bundled over in the box. 

Linnets found another gear, though, and went into half-time 3-1 up. It was a lead they never looked like surrendering, with Will Saxon rounding off the scoring five minutes from time. 

Stalybridge Celtic are just outside the play-off spots after a 1-1 home draw against Hanley Town on Friday night. 

A rare penalty miss from captain Liam Tongue was the difference in a seesaw first half. Although Max Leonard gave Bridge the lead just after the restart, they couldn’t hold off a late Hanley onslaught. Joel Stair levelled with three minutes to go despite a man of the match performance from home ‘keeper Charlie Monks. 

“A good game for a neutral,” said Celtic manager James Kinsey after digesting the action. 

In the North West Counties (NWCFL), Glossop North End’s run of four wins on the bounce shuddered to a halt against Lower Breck. 

Keaton Mulvey came into the starting XI following Bootle recalling 10-goal Lewis Reilly from his loan spell. 

The Hillmen, though, struggled for fluidity in slipping to a 4-0 home defeat. Naturally, Reilly scored twice for Bootle despite them losing 5-3 at Clitheroe in the NPL West. 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden played out a second consecutive 0-0 draw in front of a bumper crowd of 645 at the Butchers Arms.  

Despite having the lion’s share of chances, the Bloods couldn’t eke out a goal against Bacup Borough and remain in 4th place. 

New Mills, meanwhile, fell to 5th in the NWCFL First Division South after losing 1-0 at home to Ecceshall. 

The Staffordshire outfit capitalised on spurned Millers chances, scoring the decisive goal right on half-time. They could’ve doubled their lead with a late penalty, but Joey Oldham made a fantastic stop from Dec Arber’s spot kick. 

Midweek fixtures (all Tuesday 7:45pm kick-offs): 

Droylsden v Abbey Hey 
Glossop North End v Abbey Hulton United 
Hyde United v Hebburn Town 
New Mills v Cheadle Heath Nomads 
Stalybridge Celtic v Wythenshawe Town