Midweek Review: Teams Return To Action Following Period Of Reflection

Following a period of reflection to honour the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, our football teams returned to the pitch on Tuesday night in various competitions.

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton made the long trip to Spennymoor Town and were forced to share the spoils in a goalless draw. The result leaves Adam Lakeland’s side in 11th spot and three points outside the playoffs.

The Nash have a break from league action this weekend as they make their bow in this season’s FA Cup. Curzon enter the competition in the second qualifying round and will make the short trip to FC United of Manchester, who compete one division below the Nash in the NPL Premier Division.

Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Ashton United were looking to bounce back from defeat to Liversedge in the FA Cup. The Robins made the long trip to Morpeth Town in the NPL Premier Division and fell to a 3-1 defeat.

The damage had been done by the 50th minute when the hosts went 3-0 ahead. Sam Baird pulled one back for the Robins in the 89th minute to salvage a crumb of pride.

The result leaves Michael Clegg’s side in sixth spot ahead of Saturday’s trip to Belper Town.

Elsewhere in the NPL Premier Division, Stalybridge Celtic responded from their FA Cup defeat to Lancaster City with a 1-0 victory over Bamber Bridge at Bower Fold.

Chris Willcock’s side, who are 11th in the table, edged to victory thanks to Raul Correia’s strike in the 79th minute.

The game of the night took place at Gorsey Lane, home of Warrington Rylands, as Hyde United fought back from two goals down to win 4-2

Nick Spooner’s side endured the worst possible start when Rylands went two ahead by the 25th minute, thanks to goals from Kane Drummond and Callum Dolan.

However, an inspired performance from Brad Roscoe, who scored a brace, brought the Tigers level by the half-time whistle, before Jack Redshaw added a third in the 82nd minute, and Tawab Djankpata put the game beyond doubt with a fourth in the dying embers of the fixture. The result lifts Hyde into the playoffs in fifth spot.

Spooner’s side have a break from league action this weekend as attention turns to the FA Cup second qualifying round fixture, at home to Warrington Town.

It was a night to forget for Mossley, as the Lilywhites were dumped out of the FA Trophy first qualifying round at home to Dunston. 

Having fallen two goals behind by the 39th minute, the Lilywhites were given a lifeline in the 57th minute from the penalty spot. Mason Fawnes despatched the spot kick to pull a goal back, however the goal proved to be in vain as the Lilywhites were unable to find the back of the net and Dunston progressed to the next round.

David Fish’s side make the trip to Witton Albion this weekend in the NPL West.

Glossop North End suffered the same fate as the Lilywhites, this time losing 2-1 to Ramsbottom.

Although the scores were level at the half-time break, it took less than one minute after the re-start for Ramsbottom to take the lead. However, Leon Creech’s effort was cancelled out by Keaton Mulvey’s equaliser just eight minutes later.

It didn’t take too long for the hosts to reassert their lead and scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute. James Murphy’s effort gave the Rams a passage into the next round whilst condemning the Hillmen to three defeats in four games. Stuart Mellish’s side return to league action in the NPL West this weekend with a trip to Skelmersdale United.