Midweek football round-up: Curzon into play-offs, Hyde out of cup

Curzon Ashton cruised into the National League North play-off positions on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over promotion chasing rivals Chorley, which mirrored the scoreline in this season’s reverse fixture. 

Alex Curran opened the scoring for The Nash on 20 minutes, notching his first goal since returning to the club. 

After the ball was fizzed into him on the edge of the box, the midfielder spun his marker brilliantly and slotted past Matt Irwin to put his side ahead. 

Visitors Chorley then came close to an equaliser on two occasions, with Mark Ellis' half volley cannoning back off the crossbar before Kole Hall’s near post effort also rattled the woodwork. 

On the stroke of half time Curran could and perhaps should have doubled his tally after a ball over the top saw him one-on-one with Irwin, but a slight hesitation gave the shot stopper the chance to come out and smother his left-footed effort. 

After a lack of goal mouth action, the first chance of the second half came ten minutes from time when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts found space in behind the Chorley defence, taking the ball around the onrushing goalkeeper only to be denied by a superb latch ditch challenge from Adam Henley. 

The Magpies were inches away from drawing level moments later when substitute Dubem Eze worked it onto his left foot before flashing an effort across goal which whizzed just past the right-hand post. 

Curzon captain Jimmy Spencer then sealed the win five minutes from time with a delicate lob over the onrushing Irwin, before making it a brace deep into added time, arrowing the ball into the top right corner from close range to put the icing on the cake. 

“It’s a great win for us, we’re delighted,” Curzon boss Craig Mahon told The Reporter following the win. 

“We’ve got 11 big matches left now, and we know we’re probably not going to win them all, but that’s the aim. 

“I’m trying not to think too far ahead. I know the fans will be looking above us and thinking about where we can finish but I’m just focused on our next game- let's see where we end up in April.” 

The win sees Mahon’s side move up to fifth in the table, ahead of Marine’s visit to the Tameside Stadium this weekend. 

Elsewhere, current holders Hyde United crashed out of the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday at the semi-final stage after a 2-1 defeat away to NPL West side Runcorn Linnets. 

The Tigers almost made a lightning start to the game, with captain Jack Redshaw’s effort crashing off the crossbar from the tightest of angles with just three minutes on the clock. 

But Hyde found themselves behind at the break thanks to a strike from forward Adam Moseley, who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box and put his side ahead. 

This lead was doubled early in the second half when Ryan Brooke turned in from close range to put the hosts in control. 

Nick Spooner’s side then hit back moments later through Matty Fearnley who slotted past Bayleigh Passant, but despite their efforts, they could not manage to find an equaliser in the closing stages. 

“I’m disappointed,” Spooner told the club’s YouTube channel following the defeat. 

“We took a while to get started and left ourselves a lot to do. 

“I thought we were on top second half, but we just couldn’t find that equaliser.” 

Finally, Glossop North End bounced back from Saturday’s loss to Abbey Hey by inflicting a last-minute winner of their own onto Charnock Richard in midweek. 

A 96th minute header from former Droylsden man Joel Ankers saw Abbey Hey come away with the win at the weekend, but on Tuesday it was Glossop’s turn to steal the points late on. 

A late challenge on Abdul Djalo in the penalty area saw the referee point to the spot, and with the responsibility resting on the shoulders of top scorer Lewis Reilly, he made no mistake from twelve yards and fired The Hillmen ahead.  

Despite a late fightback from the hosts, Richard Brodie’s side managed to hold on and take all three points back to Derbyshire. 

“I felt let down on Saturday in many respects, and the players know that,” Brodie told the club’s YouTube channel following the win 

“I told them a few home truths before the game tonight and tried to get a reaction, and the response was fantastic. 

“It’s about time we got a last-minute winner, and to come away with a clean sheet as well, you can’t ask for more.” 

The win sees Glossop sit 16th in the NWCFL Premier Division, ahead of Saturday’s trip to South Liverpool.