Weekend football round-up: Tigers secure safety

Hyde United will play their football in the NPL Premier division next season after a statement win at title-chasing FC United of Manchester confirmed their safety. 

Edy Maieco’s 67th minute strike was enough to see The Tigers secure just their third away win of the campaign and move up to 16th in the table.  

After a goalless first half, the Broadhurst Park faithful were left stunned by a dagger from the former FC man, who reacted the quickest to ram home after Jack Redshaw’s free-kick was spilled into his path. 

Michael Clegg’s side needed some late heroics from teenage stopper Li-Bau Stowell, but managed to hold on to seal a crucial three points. 

“We were good today,” said a delighted Clegg following the win. 

“To a man, we worked, we covered every blade of grass, and that’s the absolute minimum you can do when you play for this football club. 

“I’m absolutely delighted, but I don’t want to celebrate, because this club shouldn’t be in this position. 

“I just want to make sure that whatever happens going into next year, they’re looking up not down. 

“I can just relax a bit now, it’s been a tough few weeks.” 

Hyde host Gainsborough Trinity next Saturday in their final match of the campaign. 

Elsewhere, Curzon Ashton’s hopes of staying in the National League North took yet another blow after they suffered a 4-0 home thrashing at the hands of play-off hopefuls Buxton. 

Two goals in each half saw The Bucks come away as comfortable winners, meaning defeat on the final day would confirm The Nash’s relegation. 

Curzon forward Tony Weston came close to opening the scoring early on, racing in behind only to be denied by the outstretched leg of Joe Young. 

Weston’s misery was then compounded when the visitors had the ball in the net less than a minute later, with skipper Connor Kirby’s superb long range strike leaving Josh Ollerenshaw rooted to the spot. 

Buxton doubled their advantage just before the break when Connor Douglas’ pinpoint cross was powered home at the back post via the head of Kieran Burton. 

Any hopes of a fightback were quickly quashed after the interval, with Cian Coleman drilling home a third from the edge of the box, before Johnny Johnston volleyed in a fourth from distance past a helpless Ollerenshaw. 

The defeat leaves Adam Barton’s side just two points outside the drop zone, with a season-defining final showdown with fellow strugglers Alfreton to come. 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic came from behind twice to rescue a point at fellow play-off chasers Runcorn Linnets. 

A late own goal saw the visitors strengthen their grip on third place, which would ensure a home tie in the upcoming play-off semi final. 

Linnets’ Harry McGee opened the scoring in style, catching Charlie Monks off his line with a superb looping effort from just inside the Celtic half, only for Max Leonard to nod the away side level just minutes later. 

The home side regained their advantage shortly after the interval, with former Stalybridge man Scott Bakkor firing in from the rebound, before the parity was restored once again late on when the despairing Declan McLoughlin turned beyond his own goalkeeper. 

“We’re happy with a point,” said a satisfied Jon Macken following the draw. 

“It was a scrappy game, but we’ve worked hard, and it’s a very difficult place to come and get anything.” 

A win at home to Chasetown on the final day would see Macken’s side secure third spot. 

In the same division, Mossley signed off their home campaign on a high with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Vauxhall Motors. 

A brace from Oumar Camara saw The Lilywhites move up to ninth in the table, denting the visitors’ play-off hopes in the process. 

Camara slotted in the opener with just five minutes on the clock, before a quickfire response saw Motors draw level soon after through Conor Harwood, who pounced on an uncharacteristic error from Fin Madigan to tap home. 

Mossley themselves profited from an error to regain the lead after the break, with Reece Webb-Foster the beneficiary of defensive mix up, showing composure to chop past the goalkeeper and take full advantage. 

This was the first of a flurry of goals which saw The Lilywhites hit the front twice after being pegged back in the space of eight minutes. 

A superb free kick from Finlay Heath levelled things up, before Camara squeezed through the legs of Hare to complete his brace just before the hour. 

“It’s a big win,” revealed Mossley boss Alex Craddock at full-time. 

“I’ve said it for weeks now, we still really want that 8th spot, that’s massive for the club. 

“It was a really good performance, and a really good three points, to round off a decent home record this season.” 

Craddock’s side bring their campaign to a close with a trip to Bootle next weekend. 

In the NWCFL Premier, Glossop North End finished their season on a high with a 2-0 win at mid-table South Liverpool. 

A goal in each half was enough to see The Hillmen end their league campaign with back-to-back wins, ahead of Tuesday’s Derbyshire Senior Cup final. 

The ever-reliable Jordan Schofield tucked home from the spot to give the visitors a half time lead, before Jacques Etia smashed in off the post to seal the win 13 minutes from time. 

“Yeah, absolutely,” said GNE boss Lee Wilshaw when asked if he was pleased with his side’s display. 

“Sometimes, it’s hard to motivate yourselves for these end of season games, but I didn’t get that feeling today.  

“We weren’t accepting just going through the motions. Everyone’s put themselves in a good light today, and Tuesday will be a game that requires everybody.” 

Wilshaw’s side – who finished their campaign in 14th – will take on NPL Premier side Ilkeston Town at Pride Park.   

Meanwhile, in the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden had to settle for a point in their final game of the campaign, after visitors Darwen held them to a 2-2 draw. 

Having already secured second spot, The Bloods were guaranteed a home tie in the play offs regardless of the result, and will host fifth placed Squires Gate next Saturday. 

The visitors took an early lead, but strikes from Ryan Talbot and Emmanuel Omorogbe saw the hosts turn the game on its head going into the break. 

Darwen would have the final say however, as Bruno Severino’s second half leveller saw them salvage a point. 

Finally, in the NPL Premier, Ashton United rescued a point against Guiseley in their final home match of the season. 

Jason Gilchrist’s second half strike cancelled out Kyle White’s early opener, as The Robins edged towards a top 10 finish. 

Steve Cunningham's side finish the campaign at high-flying Hednesford Town next Saturday.