Weekend pre-season football roundup - 28/7/24

Hyde United won the Keith Trudgeon Memorial Trophy with a comfortable 4-1 away win over neighbours Stalybridge Celtic.

Named in honour of Bridge’s late director and lifelong fan who died in April 2023, the home side took an early lead when Connor Hughes – one of six former Hyde players in their starting lineup – fired past a stricken Callum Hiddleston. 

However, the Tigers struck an instant reply, when a miscommunication between Sean Tse and Charlie Monks saw the Hong Kong international nod the ball into his own net. 

Hyde took the lead on 21 minutes courtesy of a mazy run and finish from Akeel Francis. 

The home side came close to an equaliser just before half-time, when a smart double save from Hiddleston denied Liam Tongue and Hughes. 

Nick Spooner’s team eased away in the second half, helped by a crossbar-rattling freekick from Connor Heath that dropped at the grateful feet of Jack Redshaw, who tapped home for 3-1. 

Heath wouldn’t be denied for long, though, heading in a pinpoint Harry Ditchfield cross on 72 minutes to round off the scoring. 

“It’s good to get into winning habits,” Spooner told Hyde’s YouTube channel. “I’ve looked at us over the last couple of years and we’ve gone a bit flat at the end, so I’ve gone for young, hungry legs. 

“I was a bit disappointed in the first half, but I got hold of them at half-time and told them to enjoy themselves. The pleasing thing is how they’re reacting to win the ball back.” 

Elsewhere, a second half Mason Fawns penalty was enough to see Mossley over the line against Bradford (Park Avenue) in their final warm-up match. 

The Lilywhites travel to Colne in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup next Saturday. 

It was a disappointing weekend for our Ashton clubs. 

Ashton United went down to a 1-0 defeat on Friday night against Warrington Town. 

The Robins were largely restricted to shots from distance, with Louis White failing to find the target from four ambitious volleys. 

Avro humbled Curzon Ashton 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.  

Starting with an experimental lineup of mostly squad players, The Nash never hit their stride, succumbing to goals from Chiekh Thiam and a brace from Liam Ellis.