Weekend football round-up: Tigers off the mark

Hyde United got their NPL Premier season up and running on Saturday with a 2-1 win at Lancaster City. 

A goal in each half saw the Tigers get off the mark at The Giant Axe at the third time of asking. 

The first chance of the afternoon went the way of the home side, with Steven Yawson nipping in behind and squaring for Nathan Caine, who blazed over from a matter of yards. 

And The Dolly Blues were made to pay on the stroke of half time when Taylor McMahon pounced on a poor clearance from Sam Bailey and slid home the opener. 

Hosts Lancaster flew out of the blocks after the interval, with Bailey atoning for his earlier error to level from the spot after a clumsy challenge from his opposite number Harry Ditchfield. 

But the parity would last merely minutes, with Jordan Eastham’s long punt upfield causing havoc, and James Kirby taking full advantage to stab home a second. 

From there, Michael Clegg’s side saw out the win without fuss to put their first three points on the board. 

Elsewhere, Mossley finally kicked off their NPL West campaign, with an emphatic 4-2 win at Atherton Collieries making the wait worthwhile. 

Braces from Charlie Frost and Mason Fawns saw Alex Craddock’s side open their 2026/27 season with a victory. 

Former Lilywhite Louis Potts opened the scoring early on for the hosts, before Fawns levelled from 12 yards after Kyle Campbell was shoved over in the box soon after. 

The away side then hit the front just before the break, with Frost turning home to open his league account on debut. 

The toing and froing continued after the interval, with Colls levelling just past the hour through Liam Sheppard, only for Fawns to notch his second within as many minutes and turn the tide once again. 

And there was to be no further drama, with Frost’s late lob putting an end to any hopes of a late comeback. 

“Anytime you win at Colls away, it’s a good win”, revealed Craddock following the victory. 

“I think we probably deserved it.  

“The first half was very much two teams trying to figure themselves out, but once we did in the second half, I think we played through them quite well and exploited them in wide areas. 

“It was a really good day.” 

Meanwhile, Droylsden saw off Burscough for the second time in five days to make it two league wins from two. 

After their FA Cup double header, from which the Bloods progressed last Tuesday, the sides met once again on Saturday at the home of the Linnets. 

Goals either side of half time from Cody Artwell and Jordan Barnett saw Dave Pace’s side pick up six points from six to start their NWCFL Premier campaign. 

Droylsden can now look forward to welcoming fans back into the Butchers Arms for Tuesday’s clash with FC Isle of Man (August 18). 

The points were shared at Bower Fold as Stalybridge Celtic began their home campaign with a 1-1 draw with Hanley Town. 

Photo: Connor Pelech / @Pelechmedia

The Midland Football League champions proved to be a tough test for Jon Macken’s side, who rescued a point late on thanks to Lewis Rawsthorn’s strike.  

After a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken 15 minutes from time as Jake Twyford drilled home, only for the hosts to draw level with just six minutes to play. 

Rawsthorn pounced after Kyle Brownhill’s initial header was spilled, turning in from close range to spare his side’s blushes. 

“I think we dodged a bullet in the end,” admitted Macken at full-time. 

“The first half was nowhere near good enough for the quality we’ve got, and the instructions we set out. 

“I think we lacked a lot of quality today, it was a little bit of an off day."  

In the NPL Premier Division, Ashton United suffered their first bump in the road, as a single goal was enough for hosts Bamber Bridge to take all three points. 

The Brig bounced back from their 6-1 thumping to Avro in midweek to record their first win of the campaign. 

Visitors Ashton did have the ball in the net late on, only for the goal to be chalked off for a handball from Kurt Willoughby. 

Emerich Poilly then added insult to injury, netting the decisive goal just a minute later, before Callum Spooner’s dismissal made for an even more sour end to proceedings. 

“My front six were disgustingly bad today,” said a raging Steve Cunningham following the defeat. 

“We could’ve played all night and not scored. 

“We can’t go through a game like that with the opportunities that we’ve created and not score. We just shouldn't have lost.” 

It was an afternoon to forget for Glossop North End, who crashed out of the FA Vase just days after their disappointing FA Cup exit to Tadcaster Albion. 

Photo: Steve Dyson

Once again, The Hillmen suffered a 2-0 home defeat, this time at the hands of United Counties League side Staveley Miners Welfare. 

A brace from Archie White was enough to see the step six visitors through, capping off a miserable week for Lee Wilshaw’s men. 

“Disappointment,” said Wilshaw when asked on his feeling at full-time. 

“[There was] just a lack of effort and real will to go and make themselves and the club proud. 

“A real letdown, it’s two cups that we wanted to go a couple of rounds into, and we’ve fallen short by a long, long way.” 

Finally, Friday night saw Curzon Ashton suffer back-to-back defeats, falling to a 2-1 loss at newly promoted Emley. 

A stoppage time strike from Brad Holmes did little to right to wrongs of the previous 94 minutes, as The Nash found themselves on the losing side for the second time in four days. 

Diego Di Girolamo opened the scoring early on for the hosts, before Charlie Barks’ header put Emley in control at the break. 

“I’m very frustrated,” said Nash boss Adam Barton after the final whistle. 

“Not because of the performance, but the way we concede goals. 

“We’ve got a team that, for the majority, were here last season. The problem last season was that we created so many bad habits, and obviously, it ended in the way it did. 

“Two balls into the box and it’s a goal. I need to really look at things and try and eradicate them as soon as possible.”