Weekend football round-up: Robins' FA Cup run goes on

Ashton United are now Tameside’s only representative in this year’s FA Cup, with Hyde United and Curzon Ashton suffering first qualifying round exits over the weekend. 

The Robins progressed with an emphatic win at fellow NPL Premier side Whitby Town, with James Hardy netting four in a 5-2 rout. 

Photo: Ashton United FC

Steve Cunningham’s side found themselves trailing by two at the break, but a five-star second half performance saw them turn the tie on its head. 

Hardy halved the deficit on the hour before wiping it out completely just two minutes later, to ease the nerves among the travelling support. 

The silky number 10 then completed the turnaround 15 minutes from time, sweeping home on the turn to seal his hat trick before turning in from the rebound after Kurt Willoughby’s free kick was spilled. 

And there was still time for the returning Darius Osei to add the icing on the cake, netting his first goal of the season deep into added time to make it five. 

“That performance in the second half fills me with so much pride,” said an emotional Cunningham at full time. 

“At half time they certainly got a rollocking, a few things were said, but second half we were electric, and I just can’t thank the lads enough for that response.” 

Elsewhere, the Nash were dumped out thanks to a last-minute strike from Step 4 visitors Bradford (Park Avenue). 

Adam Barton’s side looked to have forced a replay after levelling the scoring with 10 to play, but a late sucker punch from the away side saw Curzon fail to reach the second qualifying round for the first time since 2011. 

The West Yorkshire visitors went in at half time leading, with Kareem Hassan-Smith bundling home Robbie Fox’s cross to break the deadlock on 31 minutes. 

The Nash then restored hope late on through Ola Lawal’s equally scrappy leveller, only for Hassan-Smith to seal his brace in stoppage time and break Curzon hearts. 

“I feel sorry for anyone who watched that,” said a disappointed Barton following his side’s exit.  

“For a team that works so hard, and shows energy and intensity in the way we play, we lacked that massively today. 

“I’m not surprised. We’ve played nine games in just over four weeks. 

“But there’s no excuses, it’s a game of football and we fell short today.” 

Finally, Michael Clegg’s return to Warrington Rylands ended in disappointment, as his Tigers side bowed out with a 3-1 defeat. 

Photo: Elliott Major Creative

The visitors trailed at the break before Adam Caddick’s late stunner sealed the Blues’ place in the next round. 

It was a nightmare start for Hyde, with Harrison Wood curling the hosts ahead after just two minutes, but they recovered well to restore parity soon after through Dan Martin’s looping header. 

Rylands then regained their advantage on the stroke of half time, with Charlie Munro arrowing into the top left corner, before Caddick’s equally impressive second half strike left Eastham rooted to the spot with eight minutes to play. 

Will Hall’s late dismissal then well and truly extinguished any hopes of a fightback. 

In the NPL West, a five-star display in Staffordshire saw Stalybridge Celtic return to winning ways in style. 

Photo: Connor Pelech

Braces from Jack Irlam and Kyle Brownhill saw Jon Macken’s side dispatch lowly Lichfield City with ease, who finished the afternoon with nine men. 

Obua Mugalula steered in the opener on nine minutes, before his collision with the onrushing goalkeeper saw the latter dismissed, with Irlam converting expertly from the resulting free kick.  

Brownhill then netted either side of half time to put the visitors in total control, before Irlam sealed a brace of his own with the goal of the day, controlling with his chest before lashing home a fifth on the half volley. 

“I’m really pleased,” said a delighted Macken following the thrashing. 

“I think when you come to teams that are fighting for their lives, it can be a tough afternoon, especially after our past result. 

“I’m gonna give the lads massive credit, because it’s never easy coming back from a defeat.” 

Meanwhile, Mossley were held by strugglers Nantwich Town, in their first home league match of the campaign. 

Mason Fawns’ wonder-strike cancelled out Joe Piggott’s earlier spot kick, as the Lilywhites extended their unwanted winless run to five matches. 

After Piggott smashed home from 12 yards with 16 to play, Fawns took matters into his own hands, chopping onto his left foot before curling beautifully into the far corner to level within a matter of seconds. 

“I’m happy with a point,” revealed Alex Craddock following the stalemate. 

“We still need to be doing better at home, we still need to be winning games, but it puts a bad weekend last weekend to bed. 

“A point is probably a fair result, it was two teams that were desperately trying not to lose.” 

In the NWCFL Premier, Glossop North End climbed back to the top of the Premier Division table with a 7-1 thumping of Longridge Town. 

Photo: Steve Dyson

The Hillmen did their goal difference no harm at all with a ruthless performance in Ribble Valley. 

Alex Bowker’s brace put Lee Wilshaw’s side in command early on, before the hosts halved their advantage just before the interval. 

Further strikes from Adekunle Badmus and Jordan Schofield then virtually wrapped up the points before the turn of the hour, with Kaleb Parkinson adding a fifth soon after. 

And there was still time for in-form forward Ethan Sutcliffe to weigh in with a brace of his own, capping off a near-perfect display. 

Finally, Droylsden quickly put their derby day disappointment behind them with a 2-0 home win over Abbey Hey. 

Goals from Jordan Barnett and Tom Pratt either side of half time saw Dave Pace's side return to winning ways at the Butcher’s Arms. 

The Bloods handed a debut in attack to new arrival Dean Ing, who joined last week following the departure of Cody Artwell, while Jordan Latham returned between the sticks. 

Barnett’s trademark long-range effort opened the scoring ahead of the interval, before Pratt slotted home a second with seven to play – his second since joining on loan from neighbours Hyde United.  

The win means the Bloods now occupy the final play-off spot, having picked up 13 points from a possible 18.