Midweek Football Review

Our sides were back in action on Tuesday evening across various competitions.

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton welcomed league newcomers Scarborough Athletic to the Tameside Stadium and showed their quality with a 2-0 victory. Connor Hampson, who returned to the club for a second spell over summer, put the Nash ahead in the 25th minute, before George Waring wrapped the game up in second-half injury time. Curzon are now seventh in the table and have a break from league action this weekend as they play Scarborough for the second time four days, away from home, in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

In the NPL Premier Division, Ashton United entered their fixture against Matlock Town in second place, but fell to a 1-0 defeat at Hurst Cross. Ryan Qualter scored the only goal of the game in the 54th minute to give the Gladiators maximum points. The Robins return to action this weekend at Atherton Collieries - the former club of current manager Michael Clegg - placed seventh in the table.

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic were looking to bounce back from Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity but were condemned to a 2-0 defeat at Belper Town. Quickfire goals from Brodie Litchfield and Luke Mangham in the 20th and 23rd minute ended a four-game losing run for Belper. Chris Willcock's side, who are 17th in the table, host 10th placed Morpeth on Saturday.

Hyde United's promising run of form continued and the Tigers, revitalised under manager Nick Spooner, find themselves at the summit of the table following a 1-0 victory over Nantwich Town at Ewen Fields. Adam Dawson registered the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute to send Hyde to the top of the table. Spooner's side have a break from league action this weekend as they host Darlington of the National League North in the FA Cup third qualifying round.

In the NPL West, Glossop North End had a night to forget on home soil after falling to a 4-2 defeat to Hanley Town. On a disappointing night at the Amdek Forklift Stadium, Louis White and Matthew Gillam registered for the Hillmen, although it mattered little as Hanley showed their class and returned to Stoke with a deserved three points. Stuart Mellish's side, eighth in the table, host struggling Ramsbottom United at the Amdek Forklift Stadium on Saturday.

Picture by Oli Biddle @biddleofnowhere (Conor Hampson celebrates putting Curzon ahead)