Weekend football round-up: Macken making a habit of comebacks

Stalybridge Celtic fought back from a goal down on their travels to beat Stafford Rangers 3-1 on Saturday.

After shading a goalless first half, Bridge conceded straight from kick-off following the break, with the home side looking for a repeat of last week’s 3-0 win against Mossley. 

However, Celtic bundled themselves level on 61 minutes, when a Jordan Burton corner was turned into his own net by Stafford keeper, Cam Belford. 

New signing Elliot Rokka came close to opening his Stalybridge account, but was denied by a combination of deflections and Belford’s woodwork. 

Stafford went down to ten men on 72 minutes after Scott Wara received a second yellow for cleaning out Joe Duckworth while through on goal. 

Jon Macken’s side continued to pile on the pressure in increasingly filthy conditions, until Jack Irlam broke Rangers’ resistance in stoppage time to make it 2-1. 

Lewis Rawthorne weighed in with his second goal in Celtic colours moments later to cap another memorable turnaround and move them into 6th place in the Northern Premier League (NPL) West table. 

“The spirit and desire to go and get the first, second and third goals was brilliant,” said Stalybridge assistant manager Steve Atkinson. “People might think it was a smash and grab with us scoring two late on, but I thought the second half was total dominance. 

“There’s work to do around the finishing and making decisions in the final third, but the application was there. 

“It’s great to get three points away from home, great for the fans, and we go again on Boxing Day.” 

Mossley lost ground to their Tameside neighbours after going down 2-1 against Newcastle Town for just their second home defeat of the campaign. 

The Lilywhites went into the break holding a 1-0 lead. The returning Mason Fawns whipped in a freekick midway through the half, which was only cleared away as far as Obua Mugalula, who fired home his fourth goal in seven games. 

Bailey Marsden pulled Mossley’s strings throughout the first period, although captain Mark Lees had to make a desperate goal line clearance to maintain their advantage. 

David Fish’s side continued to make the running early in the second half, until former Hyde United midfielder Jack Sherratt equalised from the edge of the box after the home side struggled to clear a corner. 

Spurred on, the visitors turned the tide in their favour on 72 minutes when Nathan Barry tapped in after a drilled ball across the face of goal.  

Mossley couldn’t find a way back and now sit in 7th place, four points off the play-offs. 

It was a rare tough day at the office for Curzon Ashton in the National League North as Leamington put the brakes on their title charge. 

An Adam Walker volley gave the home side an early lead, which was followed up on 35 minutes by the in-form Callum Stewart. 

Nash player-boss Craig Mahon rolled the dice with two half-time substitutions – including bringing himself on for Ben Darby after his first league start – with Stefan Mols pulling a goal back just before the hour mark to make it 2-1. 

Leamington had to weather a Curzon storm, with Mahon, Marcus Poscha and Timi Sobowale all coming close to levelling. 

The Nash left themselves open while pushing for the equaliser, though, with Stewart taking advantage to make it 3-1 on 84 minutes, and completing his hat-trick on 89 minutes to round off a 4-1 win. 

Despite the defeat, Curzon will still top the National League North table at Christmas. 

Both our teams in the NPL Premier Division drew 1-1 on home turf. 

Louis White gave Ashton United a 6th minute lead with an audacious effort from just inside the Warrington Rylands half, after catching goalie Luke Pilling in No Man’s Land. 

The first half passed with few chances, but former Robins winger Ben Hardcastle equalised on half-time. 

Although United edged the second half, they couldn’t find a path through to goal. Ex-Stalybridge Celtic forward Scott Bakkor – returning to Rylands for a fourth spell after a stint in Australia – played the pantomime villain by only being shown one yellow card, despite the Ashton bench claiming he’d already been booked. 

It was more of the same for Hyde United, who drew 1-1 at home with Bamber Bridge. 

Ewan Bange and Jordan Scanlon both came close the giving the Tigers an early lead, but the latter broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when he smashed home from close range after a Jack Redshaw cross was parried into his path. 

Brig, who are managed by former Hyde midfielder Jamie Milligan, hit a freakish instant reply when the wind carried Liam Brockbank’s cross over a stranded Callum Hiddleston. The fullback’s sheepish celebrations told its own story. 

Matt Fearnley and Harry Bunn were ever-present dangers for the Tigers, with the latter incensed by a dubious offside decision when through on goal. 

Jack Byrne almost restored Hyde’s lead late on, but his header from Frankie Sinfield’s devilish corner was headed off the line with the keeper beaten. 

The impressive Sinfield also clipped the post with a sweet freekick from 20 yards out, but the Tigers had to make do with just one point. 

Glossop North End made it three North West Counties (NWCFL) wins on the spin after a convincing 3-0 home victory over Barnoldswick Town.  

Lewis Reilly, making his return to the team after three weeks on the sidelines, picked up where he left off by opening the scoring on 30 minutes. 

Man of the match Dylan McMahon doubled the lead moments later, with the score staying at 2-0 throughout the second half until Kyle Worsley added a 3rd in injury time. 

In the NWCFL South, New Mills led 2-1 at half time away to Cheadle Heath Nomads. However, a second half onslaught saw the Millers ground down into a 6-2 defeat. 

Boxing Day Fixtures (all 3pm kick-offs): 

Curzon Ashton v Farsley Celtic 
Droylsden v Maine Road 
Glossop North End v Stockport Town 
Mickleover v Ashton United 
Stalybridge Celtic v Mossley 
Warrington Rylands v Hyde United