Weekend football round-up: Tigers climb out of drop zone

Hyde United climbed out of the NPL Premier relegation zone on Saturday with a statement 3-0 win over play-off hopefuls Stockton Town. 

The Tigers bounced back superbly at Ewen Fields just seven days on from their damning defeat to Workington, ending a run of three straight losses in the process. 

Michael Clegg’s side now sit outside the bottom three on goals scored, after moving level with Prescot Cables on both points and goal difference. 

The hosts got off to a lightning quick start, with Dontai Gabbidon racing to the byline before his cross was turned beyond his own goalkeeper by the helpless Lewis King inside two minutes. 

Hyde then doubled their advantage 20 minutes later when skipper Jack Redshaw’s cut back was turned in by the onrushing Ethan Kershaw. 

Gabbidon got himself on the scoresheet just ahead of the hour, cutting inside from the right before tucking home a third at the near post, a goal that could prove to be crucial to The Tigers’ survival hopes. 

“It’s hard to enjoy the wins at the moment because of where we are, but we were really good today,” said a pleased Clegg at full time. 

“These kinds of games just seem to suit our style, we’re so quick on the break, and I just thought we were a bit more patient in possession. 

“When we get our noses in front, we’re difficult to pin back, but when we go a goal down, we’ve struggled to get back into games. 

“It was a tough week last week, and it's a big win, that.” 

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic continued their ascent up the NPL West table with a 2-0 win over basement club Trafford. 

A goal in each half was enough to see the hosts seal their sixth league win on the bounce and extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches. 

The deadlock was broken just before half-time when Jack Irlam prodded home from the rebound after Ellis Horan’s free kick was tipped onto the crossbar, netting his eighth goal in just six games. 

But Horan was not to be denied for a second time, as he skipped past his marker before firing into the far corner to double Celtic’s advantage just past the hour. 

From there, Jon Macken’s side saw the game out to move up to third in the table, and edge closer to securing an all-important play-off spot. 

“I’m delighted with the three points,” said a satisfied Macken following the victory. 

"We weren’t quite at our best, but I think we still did enough to win the game. 

“That’s really pleasing, because that shows the character of a good team.” 

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chester, in what was newly appointed player-manager Adam Barton’s first home game in charge. 

A 40-yard wonder strike from Scott Burgess leaves The Nash looking nervously over their shoulder, with just five league games to go. 

The midfielder's speculative half-volley caught out Curzon stopper Callum Hawkins and nestled into the bottom left corner with just two minutes on the clock. 

The home side’s first real chance of the afternoon came after the break, with former Nash goalkeeper Bobby Jones making himself big to deny Tony Weston at the near post, before diving low to keep out Ruben Curley’s long-range effort soon after. 

The ball was then begging to be lashed home late on after being hooked back into the danger area by Ben Darby, but with no one in blue there to meet it, visitors Chester managed to clear their lines and seal a crucial three points. 

“Apart from a freak of a goal, we can be happy with that,” new boss Adam Barton told the Reporter following the defeat. 

“I’ve got to make this team hard to beat and stop leaking goals, and the structure, shape and discipline was what we wanted today. 

“I’m coming away positive, it’s something I can 100% build on.” 

Meanwhile, their Ashton counterparts Ashton United fell to a 2-0 defeat on the road to basement club Stocksbridge Park Steels. 

Goals either side of interval saw Steels pick up their first win since February, as The Robins slipped to 12th in the table. 

Romario Dunne smashed in on the turn to give the hosts a half-time lead, before Kasper Williams rifled home through bodies following a goal-mouth scramble to complete the scoring ahead of the hour. 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden lost ground in the title race after being held to a 1-1 draw by play-off chasing hosts Squires Gate. 

The Bloods took the lead after just eight minutes, with Nellson Van leading a swift counter before laying on a plate for Ryan Talbot to tap home from close range. 

But the visitors were pegged back 19 minutes from time when Dean Ing’s spot kick found a way past Jordan Latham. 

Dave Pace’s side now sit four points behind title rivals Nelson with just five games to go. 

Finally, in the NPL West, Mossley extended their unbeaten run to 12 league matches with a 0-0 draw at Clitheroe. 

The 10-man Lilywhites recorded their ninth goalless draw of the campaign with a result that mirrored the reverse fixture back in August. 

Alex Craddock’s side did have the ball in the net early on, but Reece Webb-Foster's celebrations were cut short when his superb volley was cancelled out for offside. 

Clitheroe began to pile the pressure on the visitors in the second period – even more so when Harry Olofuwobi was dismissed 20 minutes from time for a second bookable offence – but Mossley stood firm to pick up a hard-earned point. 

“I don’t think we smelt the blood in the first half, we didn’t work the keeper enough,” said Craddock following the stalemate. 

“What doesn’t help is Mason [Fawns] was throwing up in the warm-up, he’s not been well at all, and so it was hard to dictate play. 

“It’s probably a good point with Harry [Olufowobi] getting red carded as well.”