Weekend football round-up: Droylsden secure home play-off tie

Droylsden’s regular NWCFL First Division North season came to a close on Saturday, as they sealed a home tie ahead of their playoff semi-final with a 1-0 win over Garstang.

The Bloods wasted no time against the already relegated Garstang, taking the lead after two minutes through Kyle Foley.

The visitors scrambled to clear the ball following a cross from Tawab Djankpata before eventually falling to Foley to fire home his second goal of the season.

The visitors almost scored an equaliser late on, but Jordan Latham was on hand to save their first shot on target, an important stop as anything other than three points would have seen Droylsden finish fourth.

The Bloods were able to hold on to three points and got the result they desired, ensuring they will face Holker Old Boys at the Butchers Arms Ground this Saturday as they look to earn promotion into the Premier Division.

Elsewhere, Stalybridge Celtic made it four wins in a row, continuing their pursuit of a NPL West play-off spot with a 2-0 win away to strugglers Wythenshawe Town. 

Celtic forward Lewis Rawsthorn had the ball in the net on 17 minutes after a smart finish over the keeper only to be denied by the linesman’s flag. 

Ten minutes later, Jack Irlam was caught late in the Wythenshawe penalty area resulting in a spot-kick which he dispatched expertly to put his side in front. 

Max Leonard then powered in a second, heading home a cross from Javid Swaby-Neavin to put Macken’s side two goals to the good. 

A fingertip save from Charlie Monks just before the end preserved the visitors’ clean sheet and capped off a crucial win. 

Following the victory, Celtic boss Jon Macken told the club’s YouTube channel: 

“I’m really pleased to come away with a clean sheet.   

“I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t score a couple more but overall, it was a comfortable win and one we deserved.” 

Macken's side currently sit five points behind Chasetown, who occupy the final play-off birth, going into the final three games of the season.

In the same division, Mossley rescued a point late on against league leaders Widnes, denting their title hopes in the process. 

After James Steele fired the visitors ahead early in the second half, substitute Mason Fawns levelled from the spot three minutes from time after Wealth Da Silva was brought down in the penalty area. 

“We rode our luck.” Mossley boss David Fish told the club’s YouTube channel following the draw. 

 “We didn’t really test their goalkeeper in the first half, and I don’t recall us stringing many passes together. 

“Credit to the players for their work rate and effort, but I just thought we were lacking that bit of quality. 

“But the reaction after going behind in the second half was great.  

“We showed a lot of bravery, and players wanted to get on ball and make things happen- that was really pleasing.”

Meanwhile, Curzon Ashton slipped out of the National League North play-off positions after hosts Kidderminster Harriers condemned the Nash to back-to-back 3-0 defeats. 

Kiddy made a lightning quick start to the game, opening the scoring after just 48 seconds when Reece Devine’s cross was met by the head of Ashley Hemmings, who powered home his 30th goal of the season. 

Hemmings then fired in a second just after the hour mark, arrowing the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box and doubling his side’s advantage. 

A lapse in concentration then saw Nash winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts bring down substitute Joe Foulkes in the box, with Hemmings completing his hat trick from the spot, sending Bobby Jones the wrong way and sealing the win. 

“I don’t think you can really argue with the scoreline”, Mahon told the club’s YouTube channel following the defeat. 

“Kiddy deserved the win, they worked harder than us, and they were the far better team on the day. 

"But there’s no point in feeling sorry for ourselves, it’s a tough place to come and they’re up there for the right reasons. 

“When you concede that early it’s always going to be an uphill battle. We’ve just got to accept it and move onto the next game, because it’ll come round quick.” 

The loss leaves Curzon in 8th place, but just a point behind the three sides directly above them.

At Hurst Cross, Ashton United's NPL Premier Division play-off hopes also took a flight blow, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to visitors Gainsborough Trinity.

Trinity took the lead midway through the first half when Declan Howe's delicate lob found a way over Connor Eastham, before Lewis Butroid fired in from the edge of the box to secure the points 14 minutes from time.

Despite the loss, Cunningham's side still occupy the final play-off spot, and sit four points clear of chasers Ilkeston Town. 

In the same division, Hyde United suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat at home to strugglers Matlock Town.

After a relatively quiet opening 44 minutes, the visitors opened the scoring after Jeremie Milambo was brought down inside the Hyde penalty area, with Terry Bondo making no mistake from 12 yards. 

This lead was doubled just two minutes after the break when Montel Gibson headed home Liam Ravenhill’s inswinging free kick, before the Northern Irishman made it three moments later with a stunning long-range strike which flew into the top left corner. 

Isiah Noel-Williams then put the icing on the cake, poking home from close range to put his side four goals to the good. 

“We got what we deserved today – nothing,” Tigers boss Nick Spooner told the club’s YouTube channel following the defeat. 

“You’re going to have bad days, but you can’t play without passion or pride - we didn’t have any of that today. 

“It’s very rare that I make three subs at half time, it’s not something I usually do, but I could have made even more today.” 

In the NWCFL Premier Division, Glossop North End slipped to another home defeat, losing 2-1 to mid-table Burscough.

Richard Brodie's side took the lead early on but failed to capitalise on a promising opening 25 minutes, allowing their opponents to mount a comeback and claim the points.

Finally, in the NWCFL First Division South, New Mills ended their 2024/25 campaign with a 1-0 loss at home to Market Drayton Town.