Weekend football round-up: Robins fly into the next round

Three of four Tameside clubs involved in FA Cup action over the weekend progressed to the Third Qualifying Round of the competition. 

Firstly, Ashton United stunned National League North high-flyers Scarborough Athletic at Hurst Cross. 

After a goalless first half, a quickfire double from substitute Luca Navarro sprung the game into life. 

The winger fired the Robins ahead just past the hour with a 30-yard thunderbolt, before sweeping home Luke Burke’s cross on the half volley to condemn the visitors to a shock exit. 

“Everyone's knackered,” joked a jubilant Steve Cunningham following the win.   

“I walked in the dressing room and everyone had their heads in their hands, they looked shattered. 

“I think that just goes to show the effort they’ve all put in. 

“That’s a massive win for the football club,” he added. 

Their reward is a trip to NPL West side Runcorn Linnets in the next round. 

Just across town, Curzon Ashton eased through after thrashing NPL Premier side Hebburn Town 4-1 at the Tameside Stadium. 

Tony Weston opened the scoring from the spot early on, before Adam Barton’s sweetly struck volley doubled the Nash’s lead. 

Gary Martin then halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time only for the hosts to regain their two-goal cushion seconds later as Barton thrashed in his second of the afternoon off the crossbar. 

Weston then tapped home his second and Curzon’s fourth just past the hour mark, before visitors Hebburn compounded their misery by failing to score a spot kick of their own. 

“I’m very pleased, the main objective was to reach the next round, and we’ve done that,” said a satisfied Jack Salkeld at full-time. 

“There are loads of things we need to work on, but we’re a new team and we’ve beat tough opposition. 

“To score four goals is pleasing as well, especially with Tony getting two. 

“We’ve brought him in to replace Stefan [Mols] who was outstanding last year and scored 20 goals, so for him to get another two today after scoring last week, I’m pleased for him.”  

Curzon face a tough test in the next round, as a trip to fellow National League North side Chester awaits. 

Elsewhere, managerless Hyde United progressed after a 2-0 win at home to fellow NPL Premier side Whitby Town. 

The Tigers took the lead on 16 minutes when the despairing Alex Nelson nodded debutant Kieran Lloyd’s cross beyond his own goalkeeper. 

Half-time substitute Charlie Frost then poked home his second goal in as many games to send his side through to the Third Qualifying Round of the competition. 

“The reaction from the boys today was superb,” said interim boss Martin Coyne following the victory. 

“The never say die attitude was there today, they put their bodies on the line, and they thoroughly deserved it. 

“We went back to basics, 4-4-2. Unfortunately, we had to change second half after an injury to Will [Hall], but the boys adapted to it.” 

Hyde have been presented with another home tie in the next round, as they welcome NPL East side Matlock Town to the Project Solar Stadium. 

The only side to exit the competition over the weekend were Stalybridge Celtic, who fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to National League North side Chester. 

After a goalless first half, former Curzon Ashton forward Tom Peers broke the deadlock midway through the second with a perfectly weighted lob, before Benni Smales-Braithwaite drilled the hosts level 12 minutes from time. 

As the clock ticked down, it looked as though Celtic had earnt a deserved replay, but Jack Bainbridge had other ideas, with the forward firing past Charlie Monks two minutes from time to break Stalybridge hearts. 

There was time for some late drama however, as Celtic stopper Monks – who came up for a late corner - was inches away from producing a fairytale ending, only to see his header tipped over by his opposite number. 

“I’m gutted about the result, but I’ve got to give the lads credit,” said a proud Jon Macken following the defeat. 

“I was a little bit disappointed with our first half performance, but the second half was much better. 

“We were on the front foot, playing positive football, and I thought we caused them a lot of problems. 

“Credit to the lads, they dug in, stuck with it, and gave a good account of themselves.” 

In the NWCFL, Droylsden retained top spot in the First Division North after an emphatic 6-1 win over Bacup Borough. 

The visitors took the lead on 29 minutes through Connor Morris before Nellson Van equalised ten minutes later, with the home side taking firm control after the break. 

Yasir Salim scored for the second successive game to give his side the lead, before Emmanuel Omorogbe scored his first goal for the Bloods to extend the advantage to two. 

Then, just on the stroke of the hour mark, Kyle Campbell made it four before Van inflicted further misery on Bacup, scoring his second of the afternoon. 

Dave Pace’s side weren’t done there, as in stoppage time, they made it six thanks to Caelan Kilheeney’s spot-kick, wrapping up a thoroughly entertaining afternoon at the Butchers Arms. 

In the NPL West, nine-man Mossley came from behind twice to rescue a point at Wythenshawe Town. 

The Lilywhites found themselves trailing at the break thanks to Dami Rhami’s early strike, but Jack Marrow restored parity just past the hour mark. 

Isaac Graham was then given his marching orders with 15 minutes to play, and when Rhami converted from the spot in the 92nd minute – before which George Milner was also sent for an early bath - it looked as though the hosts had stolen all three points. 

But Marrow ensured the points were shared when he thrashed in his second of the afternoon deep into stoppage time. 

“It’s a good point,” said Mossley boss Alex Craddock following the draw. 

“It’s important we don’t get carried away with it though, in the sense that our performance wasn’t good enough. 

“It’s really frustrating cause we’ve had a good week of training, it’s hard to understand where that first half has come from. 

“But to get the point in the fashion that we did, hopefully the football gods have changed.” 

Finally, in the NWCFL Premier, Glossop North End picked up a much needed three points at Litherland, after losing five on the bounce prior to kick-off. 

The hosts were reduced to 10 just two minutes into the second half and Dylan Fitzgerald’s opener six minutes later compounded their misery. 

Ethan Sutcliffe then doubled the Hillmen’s lead 13 minutes from time and Joel Ogiougo’s late strike would only turn out to be a consolation. 

“It’s probably the best I've felt in the last five Saturdays,” said a relieved Richard Brodie following his 100th game in charge. 

“We’ve had some hard luck over past few weeks, but to get that win is a massive relief more than anything.”