Weekend football round-up: Tigers snatch replay from jaws of victory

Hyde United will host an FA Cup replay with FC United on Tuesday night after an extraordinary game at Broadhurst Park yesterday.

The Tigers were cantering towards the Second Qualifying Round after a debut goal from Jake Thompson and a brace from Connor Heath put them 3-0 up. 

However, FC United mounted a miraculous comeback when Dontai Gabbidon scored from a deft volley with just 11 minutes left on the clock. 

The same player grazed the bar with a header moments later, before Jay Fitzmartin guaranteed a frantic finish by drilling home from the edge of the box two minutes into stoppage time to make it 3-2. 

FC piled forward and their pressure told when Jordan Preston headed an equaliser with the last touch of the match. 

Despite his side failing to see out a game they dominated, Hyde boss Nick Spooner was sanguine about the result. 

“I’ve said it from the beginning of the season, we’ve got a young squad. They were magnificent for 75 minutes, played some great football and the game should’ve been dead. But they’re young kids and they want 4, and they want 5, and they want 6. 

“I wouldn’t say they crumbled; it was just poor decisions. I’m not going to have a go at them, I just said to them afterwards that it was three silly mistakes, this is a learning season, and we go again. 

“We’ve come a long way in six or seven weeks, and I’m not bothered about today’s result one little bit as long as the lads go and learn from it. These things happen in football, it was a freak result, and we’ll look forward to Tuesday.” 

Mossley join Hyde in the hat for the Second Qualifying Round after a see-saw game with Whitby Town ended in a 2-2 draw at Seel Park. 

The Lilywhites took a 1st minute lead via Eric Yahaya before Stephen Walker restored parity from the penalty spot. Michael Brewster’s deflected effort put Mossley back in charge in the second half, but the higher ranked visitors clawed their way back thanks to another finish from Walker. 

They’ll try again in Whitby on Tuesday night. 

Ashton United’s FA Cup adventure ended at the first hurdle, though. Steve Cunningham’s side lost 3-0 at fellow Northern Premier League (NPL) side Guiseley. 

An early Will Longbottom goal set the tone for the afternoon, before strikes from former Robin John Lufudu and a penalty rebound from Gabriel Johnson sunk Ashton, who also had Jak McCourt sent off after he’d been substituted. 

Curzon Ashton will enter the FA Cup at the next stage, but they were in National League North action yesterday, coming away from Rushall Olympic with a 2-1 win. 

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored his first goal for the Nash to give them a second half lead, and although the hosts equalised from the spot, Adam Barton popped up moments later to convert a Jordan Richards corner and push them into 2nd place. 

“You look at the result and you’re happy,” Curzon player-boss Craig Mahon told the club’s YouTube channel. “But I do feel that we could’ve been better at times in certain areas. 

“I think we probably should’ve scored a couple more, but this squad has been fantastic.” 

After their early exit from the FA Cup, Stalybridge Celtic were back in NPL West action yesterday at Vauxhall Motors. 

Goals from captain Liam Tongue and Max Leonard dragged Celtic level by half-time after being two down inside the opening five minutes. 

James Kinsey’s side looked the most likely victors after the break with both Ash Leather and Jack Tinning rattling the woodwork, but a contentious red card for full-back Javid Swaby-Neavin left them a man down. 

A late Dom Hoppe goal ensured a 3-2 win for the home side, condemning Stalybridge to a fourth consecutive game without victory. 

In the North West Counties League (NWCFL), Glossop North End picked up three much-needed points on their visit to Burscough. 

Lewis Reilly scored the decisive goal on 28 minutes – his 4th of the season – while Charlie Gladwin kept the Hillmen’s first clean sheet of the campaign to move them out of the NWCFL Premier Division drop zone. 

However, GNE finished the game with 10 men after substitute Gabriel Hughes was sent off seconds after coming on. 

In the NWCFL First Division North, Droylsden swept basement team Skelmersdale aside in a convincing 3-0 win. 

Two quickfire first half goals from Mauro Mendes sent the Bloods on their way, before Nellson Van capped off the scoring on 66 minutes in front of 752 spectators at the Butchers Arms. 

In the First Division South, New Mills made short work of Wolverhampton SC, also winning 3-0.  

Two goals from Will Shawcross – who now has five in five games since joining from Abbey Hey – and one from Tyler Barnes kept the Millers two points behind Stafford Town at the top of the table. 

Midweek fixtures (all games kick-off at 7:45pm on Tuesday):  
Curzon Ashton v Scunthorpe United 
Glossop North End v Cheadle Town 
Hyde United v FC United 
Whitby Town v Mossley