Weekend football round-up: Spirited Hillmen see off LR

Glossop North End came from behind twice to defeat Atherton LR on Saturday, with Dylan Switters’ last-minute winner topping off a superb afternoon for The Hillmen. 

Two goals came inside the first four minutes, with Conal Gallagher cancelling out Joe Bacon’s opener before Kieran Nolan restored the hosts’ lead ahead of the half hour mark. 

Abdul Djalo then smashed in off the post three minutes before the break to round off a topsy turvy first period which saw the sides go in level. 

A second-half of very few chances looked to be ending as it started, but the visitors had other ideas, with Switters driving home from distance to ensure The Hillmen would return to SK13 with all three points. 

The victory saw interim manager Lee Wilshaw end his temporary tenure with a 100% record, having picked up two wins from two. 

GNE will go into Tuesday’s Derbyshire Senior Cup tie at Shirebrook Town with a new man in the dugout, after the appointment of former Golcar United boss Ashley Connor was confirmed minutes after the final whistle. 

Elsewhere, Hyde United made it two wins from two, seeing off Morpeth Town at Ewen Fields to move within two points of the NPL Premier play-offs. 

The Tigers got off to a blistering start, with Nyal Bell nodding in his second goal in as many games to put his side ahead with just a minute on the clock. 

Hyde had their goalkeeper to thank for preserving their lead going into the break, with Yusuf Mersin producing a superb save to deny Dominic Dos Santos Martins from point-blank range. 

Martin Coyne’s side came close to doubling their lead on two occasions in the second period, with Lewis Rawsthorn and Jack Redshaw both forcing saves from Isaac Allan, but finally found the breakthrough 15 minutes from time when new signing Max Harrop slotted in his first goal for the club, just seconds after coming on as a substitute. 

“I thought we were excellent today, we set up with a game plan, and we followed it,” said a satisfied Coyne following the win. 

“In the first half we had a 10-minute spell where we took our foot off the gas a bit and stopped playing, but second half we came out, and I thought we ran the show. 

“It’s another three points and another clean sheet, that’s nine for the season now - it’s fantastic.” 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic bounced back from their 4-0 thrashing at Stafford Rangers with a 3-0 win over fellow Staffordshire based club Newcastle Town. 

Ellis Horan fired in the opener on six minutes, which saw the hosts take a 1-0 lead into the break. 

Despite Celtic creating a number of opportunities in the second period, it took a moment of magic to break down the visitors’ defence for a second time, with Jack Irlam catching Joe Slinn off his line and finding the net from just past the half-way line. 

Irlam was then brought down inside the penalty area moments later, and made no mistake from 12-yards, adding a third and sealing all three points. 

“You've got to be able to stop the kind of losing streak we were on, so it’s a great win,” said a relieved Jon Macken at full-time.  

“I think performance wise we’ve been better in games, but sometimes it’s all about winning the game, and we did that today.” 

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton squandered a 3-0 lead to draw at Hereford, as two stoppage-time strikes saw the points shared. 

A bright start from The Nash saw them three goals to the good after just 28 minutes, with Alex Curran capitalising on a goalkeeping error to nod the visitors ahead with six on the clock, before Tony Weston drilled in a second 15 minutes later. 

Weston then turned creator for the third, laying off for Ben Darby to sweep into the top left corner from the edge of the area, putting Curzon firmly in control. 

Alarm bells would have been ringing when Omari Sterling-James pulled one back nine minutes after the restart, but Mark Bradshaw’s side managed to steady the ship, before capitulating in added time. 

Two long-range strikes in two minutes saw Sterling-James complete his hat-trick and rescue a point for the hosts. 

“It was a game of two halves,” said Bradshaw following the draw. 

“The first 45 is the best we’ve played in terms of attacking prowess, linking, quality - the goals were unbelievable. 

“I wouldn’t say we played badly in the second half, but we didn’t put our chances away at one end, and they’ve hit three very good strikes past Callum [Hawkins]. 

“The lads in there are angry and disappointed, but we’ve had a good discussion, and reminded them of the positives - we probably created enough chances to win five matches. 

“When we were travelling down, we said we’d take a point, but the manner in which we’ve got it is disappointing and very frustrating.” 

Their Ashton counterparts, Ashton United, were left red faced after visitors Cleethorpes Town left Hurst Cross as 4-0 winners. 

Two strikes either side of half-time, including a brace from Josh Walker, saw the away side come away with a comprehensive victory. 

“I didn’t think it was a 4-0 game, with the amount of dominance we had with the ball, but the four goals we gave away were criminal, and if you’re gonna concede goals like that, you’re gonna lose football matches,” said a displeased Steve Cunningham after the final whistle. 

“We just don’t look like we’re gonna score goals at the minute, and unfortunately, that seems to be the story of our season.” 

As for Droylsden, they were hoping to put a dreadful October behind them, but instead began November in worrying fashion, losing 4-3 to Fulwood Amateurs.  

The Bloods found themselves 4-0 down after 70 minutes and are now winless in the league since September 13. 

Fulwood had two golden opportunities to take the lead early on but were unable to convert.  

That was until the 27th minute, when Charlie Howarth put the home side in front, before Harry Wignall doubled the lead ten minutes before half-time. 

Things only got worse in the second half when Howarth grabbed his second of the game, then just after the hour mark, Spencer Lucas added a fourth for the hosts. 

The Bloods finally switched on after this, with Manu Omorogbe pulling one back before a brace from Mauro Mendes brought the game back to just a one-goal deficit with five minutes of normal time to play. 

Dave Pace’s side continued to push for a late equaliser, but Fulwood held out for all three points.  

Finally, Mossley recorded their fourth goalless draw of the season, with their latest stalemate coming at home to Stafford Rangers, who thrashed neighbours Celtic days prior. 

Rio Alston came the closest for The Lilywhites, hitting the post early on, but Alex Craddock’s side were unable to break down a resolute Rangers defence.