Weekend football round-up: Cunningham reads riot act to Robins players

Ashton United boss Steve Cunningham was scathing of his squad as their FA Trophy run ended in a calamitous 7-1 defeat at Macclesfield.

“It’s not [a day] to forget, it’s an eye-opener,” he told the club’s YouTube channel. “It’ll be a catalyst for everything else that goes on this season. 

“We had a heart-to-heart last week to the point where I talked about resigning last week, because I want more from the players and the team. There’s a major issue within the team, I don’t mind saying it, but it’s certainly not me or the management team. I’m going to put it on the players, this one. 

“When you cross the white line when you get told that you’re playing for your contracts, or we want to see more from you, we said this would be the best game to have, but it was probably the worst. 

“Macclesfield are a fantastic team, they're in form at the moment, Robbie’s [Savage] doing a really good job and they’ve got quality all over. But if you come to a place like this and you don’t want to run, don’t want to tackle, don’t want to talk, don’t want to do the ugly things in the game, you’re going to get slapped. 

“I’m looking round at the team and there’s no character, no leaders. I’m really hurting inside, I’m angry, but there’s no point because I’ve wasted enough time on this group. This team will be ripped apart in the next two weeks. 

“Hopefully they’ll be men enough to accept that and cancel their contracts. If we’re serious about getting promoted or making the play-offs, it won’t be with this group of players. They’ve let me down. 

“This isn’t one of those defeatist interviews you hear from other managers when they’re losing games, I’m telling you now that I’ll be here, but the players won’t be. It’s going to be an entertaining week.” 

The Robins were 4-0 down by half-time, and although they rallied at the start of the second period – capped by a Darius Osei goal – they conceded another three by the final whistle. 

Across town, Curzon Ashton warmed up for next Sunday’s FA Cup game against Mansfield by going level with Chorley at the top of the National League North. 

Devon Matthews converted a Mike Afuye corner three minutes into the home game against Chester, before Afuye doubled the Nash’s advantage on 20 minutes when the visiting goalkeeper, Elyh Harrison - who is on loan from Manchester United - passed straight to the winger who notched his first league goal for the club. 

Craig Mahon’s side were almost out of sight a few minutes later when Stefan Mols tucked away a penalty after being hauled down to make it 3-0. 

Despite Chester making a brighter start to the second half, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts broke through their backline to make it 4-0 and put the game to bed. 

“I’m delighted, it was a brilliant start,” said Curzon player-boss Craig Mahon. “We caught them a little bit off guard, but that’s football. We’ve been on the other end of it where you start a bit sloppy, or you don’t start quick enough, and then you’re 1-0 down.” 

In the Northern Premier League (NPL), Hyde United were two goals up at Lancaster City with 20 minutes to go, but as they did last week against Ashton United, the home side hauled themselves level. 

The Tigers took the lead on 33 minutes after Ewan Bange was dragged to the deck while trying to head home an excellent Harry Ditchfield cross. Captain Jack Redshaw slotted away the penalty for his 10th goal of the campaign. 

Nick Spooner’s team were looking comfortable when full-back Lewis Thompson capitalised on a rare defensive clanger, passing into an open goal on the hour to make it 2-0. 

However, the introduction of debutant Josh Abbott turned the tide. The former New Mills forward was instrumental in Lancaster’s revival, the unknown quantity unsettling a previously resolute Hyde back four. 

Aaron Bennett smashed home from a corner on 71 minutes to make it 1-2, but a sumptuous volley from Charlie Bailey restored parity.  

Mossley continued their resurgence in the NPL West, an early Mason Fawns penalty – his fifth goal in six games – enough to give them three points against in-form Nantwich Town and lift the Lilywhites to within three points of the play-off places. 

“I thought we were so, so good out of possession,” said Mossley manager David Fish of the backs-to-the-wall performance. 

“The second half, in particular, we were superb. Luke Barlow, Mat Kardacz and Fin Madigan with multiple saves, blocks and headers, they really epitomised what we were about today.” 

Jon Macken’s first game in charge of Stalybridge Celtic ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Wythenshawe. 

Milan Lalkovic opened the scoring with his first goal for the club on 34 minutes, and although the home team scored twice in quick succession after the break, a late goal from Joe Duckworth ensured both sides shared the points.  

Bridge stay in 4th place. 

There was a sense of deja-vu for Glossop North End in the North West Counties League (NWCFL).

After conceding two goal in injury time to go out of the FA Vase last weekend, they repeated the feat at Abbey Hey on the first anniversary of Richard Brodie taking over as manager. 

Lewis Reilly netted his first goal since returning to the club to give Glossop a second half lead. The Gorton side kept plugging away, though, scoring in the 95th and 97th minutes to snatch a last-gasp victory. 

Their neighbours New Mills also succumbed to a stoppage time 2-1 defeat on the road in the NWCFL South.  

It was better news for Droylsden in the NWCFL North, with the increasingly influential George Kattah making it six goals from as many games to give the Bloods a 1-0 win over fellow promotion chasers, Nelson. 

Midweek fixture (Tuesday 7:45pm): 

Congleton Town v Stalybridge Celtic (NPL West)