Weekend football round-up: Tongue fires Celtic into hat

Stalybridge Celtic progressed to the FA Trophy second qualifying round in dramatic circumstances on Saturday, thanks to a last-minute winner from Liam Tongue. 

The Celtic skipper’s stoppage time dagger saw the hosts through at Bower Fold, as they took out revenge on Merseyside visitors Lower Breck. 

The pair met last season at the same stage of the competition, with Breck taking the spoils after a comfortable 3-0 victory.  

Jon Macken’s side took a two-goal lead into the interval, with Kyle Brownhill heading home his third in two games before Tongue rifled in a second with just seven gone. 

Their lead was swiftly extinguished after the break however, with the visitors netting twice in the opening four minutes of the half. 

With time ticking away, and the tie heading for a dreaded penalty shootout, up stepped Tongue to drive home from distance and seal his side’s place in the hat. 

“It was a game of two halves really,” admitted Macken following the victory. 

“First half we were outstanding. We were totally in control of the game, and if I’m honest, it should’ve been a lot more. 

“We were so sloppy for their two goals, we switched off defensively, and it was disappointing. 

“But again, we pushed on, and I’m delighted with the win.” 

Macken’s side have been rewarded with a trip to fellow Tamesiders Curzon Ashton in the next round. 

As for the Nash, they bounced back from their disappointing FA Cup exit with a 2-0 away win at Lancaster City. 

Photo: Josh Hibbert / @jbertlens

Goals from Brad Holmes and Alex Curran saw the visitors through, as they recorded their fourth league win on the bounce. 

There were early warning signs for the hosts, with Danny Whitehead’s long-range effort clipping the post, but they found a foothold in the game after the break. 

The Dolly Blues were unfortunate not to break the deadlock on two occasions, with a pair of pop shots from Charlie Bailey flashing just wide, before the Nash made them pay 16 minutes from time. 

Holmes pounced on a calamitous error at the back to open the scoring, heading the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and tapping into the empty net, before Curran swept home deep into stoppage time to put the win beyond any doubt. 

Elsewhere, Mossley ended their six-match winless run with a narrow win over Witton Albion. 

Charlie Frost’s second half strike was enough for the Lilywhites to claim three points for just the second time this season. 

After a goalless first period, the prolific forward drew first blood on the hour, racing in behind before smashing home his sixth goal of the campaign. 

This was to be enough for the hosts, who held on to keep their first clean sheet of the season. 

In the NWCFL Premier, Droylsden made it back-to-back victories with a hard-earned win at Ramsbottom United. 

Photo: Derek Lloyd / @bloodspics

The Bloods moved level on points with Glossop North End after Dean Ing’s early strike proved to be decisive. 

Following his recent signing, Ing opened his Droylsden account on 36 minutes, powering home Jordan Barnett’s corner from close range. 

The hosts would have levelled had it not been for a superb point blank save from Jordan Latham, and were unfortunate to have a header disallowed on the stroke of half time. 

But Dave Pace’s side managed to withstand the pressure and claim their fifth league win of the campaign. 

In the NPL Premier, Hyde United’s woes continued as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Whitby. 

Despite trailing at the break, the visitors came from behind to take the spoils, after a second-half performance which Tigers assistant manager Joe Bunney dubbed a “disgrace”. 

Having conceded 23 goals in their previous five matches, it was no surprise to see the Seasiders’ backline breached once again, albeit in bizarre circumstances as Dan Gardner’s in-swinging corner flew all the way in on 32 minutes. 

But Whitby levelled within two minutes of the restart with what was a mirror image of the opener, with Joey Phuthi’s delivery crossing the line after a flick off Hyde defender Taylor McMahon. 

Callum Hickman then completed the turnaround just ahead of the hour, lashing home on the half volley after new signing Jack Kenny had failed to clear his lines. 

With seven minutes to play, another lapse in concentration led to a third, with Harry Ditchfield switching off at the back post and allowing visiting skipper Stuart Rose to nod home from point blank range. 

“I’ve never been involved in a game with such contrasting halves,” revealed Bunney following the defeat. 

“First half we were completely dominant, and could’ve been out of sight, then we come out second half and concede a corner within 30 seconds. 

“It’s just not acceptable, that second half performance is an absolute disgrace. Second half they've come out with a different intensity, and we got worse as the half went on. 

“You have to work hard, you have to win your tackles and you have to run harder than the opposition, and if you don’t, that’s what happens.” 

Finally, Ashton United suffered a narrow defeat at home to league leaders Cleethorpes. 

Steve Cunningham’s side fell short at Hurst Cross as a second half wonder strike from Lewis Hey proved to be the difference.