Weekend Football Round-up: Curzon into FA Cup First Round

Curzon Ashton boss Craig Mahon declared himself “absolutely delighted” as the Nash reached the FA Cup First Round with a 1-0 home win over King’s Lynn Town.

A goal on 88 minutes from new signing Luis Lacey was enough to edge a game in which the visitors fluffed a couple of golden chances to take the lead. 

Despite Theo Williams and Tom Wilson coming close for King’s Lynn, their goalkeeper was the busier, with Stefan Mols and Jordan Richards forcing smart saves in the first half. 

The Nash flashed a litany of shots off target in the second period before their pressure finally told, with substitute Lacey firing home his second goal in as many games to put Curzon into the First Round for the third consecutive season. 

“I’m just proud of them,” said player-manager Mahon. “What they’ve achieved this year has been fantastic and to get the club into the First Round proper is amazing for everyone involved. 

“Hopefully this will show people that we’re not just another number, and people start to recognise us for what we’re doing and what we’re trying to achieve. 

“From the top of the club to the juniors, everybody’s in the right mindset and doing the right things. It’s great to say that Curzon are back in the First Round.” 

It was a great day, too, for Hyde United, who ended a seven-game winless run with a 2-1 victory at bogey side Mickleover. 

A debut goal and man of the match performance from Ewan Bange helped the Tigers to a 1-0 lead in a comfortable first half display. 

The on-loan striker rattled the woodwork with an overhead kick after the break, but it was the home side who levelled the score midway through the second half. 

Nick Spooner’s side regained their composure, though, and Drew Baker’s goal six minutes from time was enough to give Hyde a deserved first ever win at Mickleover. 

“The performances have been good, but we’ve just made individual errors and not had the rub of the green,” Spooner told the club’s YouTube channel. 

“We went a little bit different today. We sat back and looked to pick them off for a change, like other teams have been doing to us, but it’s pleasing that we created chances and were better at the back. 

“We went for a high press in last 20 minutes and we got our reward. We were brave, a lot of teams would probably settle for the point, but we wanted a win today.” 

The result pushes the Tigers back up to 7th place in the Northern Premier League (NPL) table, two points and three places behind Ashton United, who lost 3-2 to an in-form Worksop Town. 

It was the fifth game in a row that Steve Cunningham’s side have conceded two or more goals, and extended their run without a clean sheet to ten games. 

Although Darius Osei scored just before half-time and full-time for the Robins – taking him to six goals in his last six games - Jordan Burrow weighed in with a hat-trick to send the three points back to Nottinghamshire. 

In the NPL West, Liam Tongue’s tenure as caretaker manager at Stalybridge Celtic got off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win against Avro at Bower Fold. 

While Jack Irlam’s 2nd minute goal was the difference, Celtic weathered a late barrage from the Oldham side, with Jordan Butterworth heroically clearing off the line as the game entered stoppage time. 

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved,” Tongue said. “It’s always a difficult time when a manager goes, but we’ve got to keep the lads together regardless of how we played in the second half. 

“People will probably say that we didn’t look that good, but I thought we were superb. We’ve been compact, we’ve stuck to a game plan, and we probably could’ve had two or three in the first half when we were on the front foot, but we’ve played the conditions well and we’ve nullified what they’re good at in going long to the big man. 

“I’ve said to the lads to take pride in what we do. They turned up today with a superb attitude, I can’t ask for more, they’re off their feet.” 

It was also a good day at the office for Mossley, who made it two wins on the bounce after a 1-0 victory over Witton Albion at Seel Park. 

A beautiful freekick from Mason Fawns handed all three points to David Fish’s side, but Lilywhites ‘keeper Fin Madigan earned his wages with a handful of saves as the clock ran down. 

The result lifts Mossley into 12th place, three points off the play-offs just a week after dipping their toes into the relegation zone. 

In the North West Counties (NWCFL), Eli Fisher marked his first start for Glossop North End with a late, late goal that rescued a point in 2-2 home draw with Longridge Town. 

Tom Lawless gave the Hillmen an early lead before being pegged back just before the break. Ben Trafford put the visitors ahead ten minutes into the second half before 18-year-old Fisher’s 3rd goal in as many games restored parity in the 93rd minute. 

In the First Division North, Droylsden smashed seven unanswered goals past Thornton Cleveleys to exact revenge for defeat in the reverse fixture. 

The Bloods were 4-0 up by half-time courtesy of goals from Tawab Djankpata, Ben Lowe and two from Sheriff Njie. 

They kept their foot on the accelerator in second period, with Lowe, Elvis Amoakwa and former Hyde United youngster George Kattah rounding off the scoring for Dave Pace’s side. 

It was a trying afternoon for New Mills in the First Division South, though, as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Church Lane against Wirral-based Ashville, who leapfrogged the Millers into 4th place. 

Midweek Fixtures (all Tuesday 7:45pm kick-off unless stated): 

Ashton United v Mossley (Manchester Premier Cup 1st Round) 
Avro v Hyde United (Wednesday 7:45pm – Manchester Premier Cup 1st Round) 
Droylsden v AFC Blackpool (Edward Case Cup 1st Round) 
Irlam v Glossop North End (Manchester Premier Cup 1st Round)