Weekend football round-up: Nash move into play-offs

Curzon Ashton moved into the National League North play-off spots on Saturday after an emphatic 4-0 win at Marine. 

The hosts were reduced to 10 early on after Leigh Whelan was showed a second yellow card for an intentional handball, and from there, the visitors began to dominate. 

After a flurry of first half chances went begging, The Nash found the breakthrough early in the second when Alex Curran slid the ball through the legs of Jack McIntyre before Tony Weston added a second, taking the ball round the Marine stopper and squeezing in from a tight angle.  

Jack Stobbs’ lob one minute from time then made it three before Joe Rodwell-Grant slotted home deep into added time to cap off a resounding victory.  

“It was a very positive result,” said a delighted Mark Bradshaw at full-time. 

“To a man, we were better than them, we dealt with what they had and caused them problems all day long. 

“We look like a group now that are starting to understand what it takes to win football matches at this level, that’s really pleasing.” 

Elsewhere, Hyde United’s FA Cup run came to an end after a 1-0 defeat at Tamworth in the Fourth Qualifying Round. 

Despite a valiant effort, Ben Milnes' second half header saw The Tigers bow out of the competition. 

Martin Coyne’s side managed to weather the storm for the first hour, with goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin producing a couple of smart saves when called upon, but on 62 minutes, Tamworth skipper Milnes powered home Luke Fairlamb’s pinpoint cross to break the deadlock. 

Despite their best efforts, the visitors were unable to force a replay, with The Lambs progressing to the First Round Proper of the competition. 

“I’m super proud,” said Coyne after the defeat. 

“There were spells in the game where you wouldn’t have known there was a two-league gap, you really wouldn’t. 

“Yes, they had some quality, but we showed a lot of quality as well. 

“You wouldn’t have been surprised if we went into half time 1-0 up, I think we had the better chances, but it wasn’t to be. 

In the NPL Premier, Ashton United suffered their third straight defeat in all competitions as visitors Whitby came away as 4-1 winners. 

Hosts Ashton took the lead after just 24 seconds through Mikey O’Neill before a quickfire double from The Seasiders turned the game on its head. 

Former Robin Jake Charles levelled the scoring after a catastrophic error from Jordan Eastham presented the forward with an open goal, before Connor Smith bundled in a second just four minutes later. 

Layton Watts then poked home a third just after the hour mark before James Harrison sealed the win following another Eastham error. 

“I’m just disappointed,” said a dissatisfied Steve Cunningham after the final whistle. 

“We started the game ever so well, scored after 30 seconds and I thought first 10 minutes we were the best we've been for a long time. 

“Unfortunately, what happens then is we go and make a mistake, that’s the bit that’s killing us. 

“We’re not taking our chances and then we’re giving away goals for charity at the other end.” 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic missed the chance to go top of the table after falling to a 1-0 defeat at newly promoted Shifnal Town. 

Celtic did have the ball in the net early on, but Tunde Owolabi was denied his first goal for the club by the linesman’s raised flag, and Kane Lewis’ strike on the stroke of half-time was enough to see the hosts come away with all three points. 

“I’m disappointed, obviously,” said a displeased Jon Macken following the loss. 

“I’m getting sick of saying it now, but the first half was not good enough at all. 

“We were on the back foot, we couldn’t get going, and we couldn’t string two passes together. 

“We allowed them to dictate, allowed them to control the game, and that wasn’t the message beforehand. 

“It was nowhere near our standards, the supporters who travelled all this way deserved a lot better than that.”  

Meanwhile, their NPL West counterparts Mossley had their goalkeeper to thank for earning a point at home to basement club Trafford. 

A stellar display from stopper Fin Madigan, topped off by a penalty save eight minutes from time to keep the score level, saw the points shared at Seel Park.  

A superb long-range strike from Isaac Graham on 70 minutes cancelled out Sean Higgins’ opener, and when Sean Kgwakgwa was penalised for a foul inside the penalty area, Madigan made himself a hero, keeping out Kingston Fligg’s spotkick and sparing the Lilywhites’ blushes. 

“It was a really disappointing first half,” admitted Mossley boss Alex Craddock following the draw. 

“It’s so frustrating, because it’s hard to put a finger on why. 

“But I think we showed what we’re about second half, the subs made a massive impact, and it’s a point at least." 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden lost ground in the title race after a 95th minute winner from visitors Holker Old Boys. 

After a match of very few chances, Holker forward Tom Dawson made his count in the dying embers at The Butcher’s Arms. 

Finally, Glossop North End suffered their fifth loss on the bounce, falling to a 2-0 defeat at Pilkington. 

The Hillmen had chances to go ahead in the first half, with Jack Hopkins hitting the woodwork early on, but goals either side of half-time from Tom Douglas and Alfie Stotts saw the home side come away as the victors.