Weekend football round-up: Curzon slip out of play-off places

Curzon Ashton’s faltering National League North title challenge took another blow despite a lightning start against Peterborough Sports on Saturday.

Stefan Mols put The Nash ahead inside 60 seconds, pouncing on a shot from new Huddersfield Town loanee Conor Falls that Peter Crook could only parry away. 

The former Hyde United stopper was called into action again moments later, doing enough to force Isaac Buckley-Ricketts into firing wide. 

However, Sports were level on 13 minutes, with Timi Sobowale unfortunate to steer the ball into his own net. 

An injury curtailed a rare start for Ben Darby before half-time, but despite the introduction of player-manager Craig Mahon, Curzon lacked the fluidity that saw them impress in Tuesday’s draw at Scunthorpe. 

The home side had the better chances after the break, with Dan Jarvis, Kaine Felix and the impressive Michael Gyasi all coming close but failing to convert. 

It’s just one win in seven league games for The Nash, who drop out of the play-off places for the first time all season.  

Assistant manager Jack Salkeld remains upbeat: “With Scunthorpe, the manner of the way we drew the game felt like a loss, but we’ve got to move on. We’ve got 52 points to play for, you can’t dwell on it, we’ll have another full week of training and see how we go from there.” 

Across town, Ashton United player/coach Sean Newton celebrated his 750th career appearance with a 2-1 home win against Lancaster City in the Northern Premier League (NPL). 

Al Byrne put the Robins ahead midway through the first half when he stole in ahead of Lancaster ‘keeper Aidan Dowling to divert a Louis White cross. 

United doubled their lead just before the break when Sam Baird connected with a Luke Burke freekick, looping his header into the far corner for his 3rd goal since the turn of the year. 

Lancaster – managed by former Stalybridge, Mossley and Glossop boss Chris Willcock – fought their way back in the second period, capped by a deflected 30-yard blast from Lewis Coulton to make it 2-1. 

Despite their pressure, the visitors struggled to create clear chances and Steve Cunningham’s side saw the game out to leave them in 3rd place, behind Guiseley on goal difference but with a game in hand. 

After an encouraging midweek win against Ilkeston Town, Hyde United slipped to a tepid 1-0 defeat at Workington. 

The Tigers started brightly with Shakeel Jones-Griffiths, Jack Redshaw and Matt Fearnley all firing warning shots across the home goal. 

Workington regrouped and solidified as the half wore on, limiting chances to a premium as the sides went in goalless at half-time. 

Although both teams were lacklustre after the break, Connor Pani suckerpunched Hyde on the break with the decisive goal ten minutes before the final whistle. 

“It was a very disappointing defeat,” Tigers boss Nick Spooner said. “We never really got going. 

“The instruction was to put the ball in the box because it’s a bobbly, horrible pitch, but I thought we were trying to be too nice in the final third.  

“We were at the centre of the goal, but we’re going out wide, and we’re not a team that scores a lot of goals from crosses anyway. We just didn’t test the young ‘keeper who was making his debut at this level, and that’s disappointing. 

“They did what they’re good at, but we didn’t do what we’re good at.” 

Mossley were our only team in action in the NPL West, playing out a second consecutive goalless draw at home to Chasetown. 

The Lilywhites began on the front foot, with Gee Baltazar denied in two early efforts by the bar and Curtis Pond in the visitor’s goal.  

Bailey Marsden’s dead balls provided the best chances: Pond almost punching into his own net from a corner, with captain Mark Lees - who has only scored once in 91 appearances for Mossley - almost pulling off the improbable from a bicycle kick a minute later. 

Chasetown grew into the contest after the break, but neither side could muster a moment of magic to settle the tie. 

The result leaves David Fish’s side in 11th place, 9 points behind Chasetown who are in the final play-off position. 

There was late drama in the North West Counties (NWCFL) Premier Division, where a depleted Glossop North End drew 1-1 at Litherland REMYCA. 

Player-manager Richard Brodie made his first league start of the season, carving out a couple of opportunities in the first half but lacking the sharpness from his days as one of non-League's most feared frontmen. 

Conal Gallagher saw red for the second time this campaign, kicking at his opponent after the ball had gone early in the second half. 

The sending off galvanised the Hillmen, with Keaton Mulvey and Tom Lawless almost breaking the deadlock.  

With Glossop pushing ever forward, it was the home side who opened the scoring when Eric Durnell converted from a corner on 79 minutes. 

Another push from the visitors saw Ollie McKay score his first senior goal moments later, levelling the game at 1-1. There was still time for him to be sent to the sinbin for dissent, meaning Glossop ended the game with just 9 men. 

“I’m immensely proud. The character, the spirit, the tenacity to come back from 1-0 down with ten men – they should be proud of themselves. It was a real team effort that deserved a point at least. 

“But the pitch was absolutely atrocious.” 

New Mills continued their slide down the NWCFL South table after losing 2-0 on the road at play-off hopefuls Eccleshall. 

The Millers are now firmly mid-table, being 10 points from the play-off places and 10 points above the dropzone. 

It was better news, however, for Droylsden, who kept the pressure on the NWCFL North leaders with a 3-1 win in Yorkshire against Route One Rovers. 

Fuad Kasali scored either side of half-time to give the Bloods a 2-0 lead, and although the home side halved the deficit, Tawab Djankpata sealed the three points deep into injury time with his 3rd goal of the season. 

Dave Pace’s side are in 3rd place, five points behind table-toppers Nelson, but with two games in hand.