Tameside trio progress

Tuesday saw all three Tameside clubs involved in Manchester Premier Cup action earn a place in the semi finals.

Both Ashton clubs came from behind to see off their quarter-final opponents, with Curzon Ashton defeating Bury thanks to a last gasp winner from Ben Darby.

The Nash had the ball in the net early on, with Brad Holmes tapping in at the back post only to be denied by the linesman’s raised flag, before Tony Weston steered wide after being slipped in behind by Darby minutes later. 

Visitors Bury took full advantage on the stroke of half time, with Mo Touray opening his Shakers account in style, picking the ball up on the edge of the area before chopping onto his left foot and firing into the bottom right corner. 

The away side were inches away from doubling their lead early in the second half, with Kai Evans’ curled effort rattling against the upright, only for Curzon to draw level soon after. 

A mistake at the back allowed substitute Alex Curran to race in on goal, before unselfishly squaring the ball to Weston, who simply couldn’t miss. 

The turnaround was then completed two minutes from time, when Jordan Richards’ inch perfect cross was headed home by Darby, to break Bury hearts and send The Nash through. 

Despite the win, Nash boss Mark Bradshaw wasn’t entirely pleased with the performance: 

“We struggled in the first half in all honesty,” Bradshaw told the Reporter at full-time. 

“When you take such experience out of the team, you’re looking for leaders and unfortunately nobody wanted to lead. 

“It was an opportunity for some of the players to show they want to be in the starting 11 on Saturday, but I saw heads drop and I saw a few people that looked like they didn't want to be there, which is unacceptable. 

“These lads should've been buzzing to play on a perfect pitch against a good footballing side with a decent crowd, but it was a real disappointment. 

“So, at half time I had to bring the captain on, and when we did that, I felt we dominated the second half. 

“To get the second goal and not allow it to go to penalties was really good, and in the end it’s a good night rather than a frustrating one.” 

Across town, Ashton United saw off another NPL West side in Wythenshawe Town.

The visitors initially took the lead at Hurst Cross when former Stalybridge Celtic man Domaine Rouse finished from a tight angle 17 minutes in, but the Robins hit back just over five minutes later through Mikey O'Neill.

Willem Tomlinson then completed the comeback 16 minutes from time, firing past former Robin Greg Hall to send his side through.

Elsewhere, Mossley eased into the final four with an emphatic 5-2 win at home to North West Counties side Abbey Hey. 

An enthralling five goal first half saw the Lilywhites go into the break leading, before two strikes in second half stoppage time put the icing on the cake. 

Rio Alston fired the hosts ahead early on before Daniel Heffernan restored parity soon after, only for Mossley regain the lead on the half hour mark through a header from Reece Webb-Foster. 

Oliver Armstrong then made it three just before the break, only for Alex Craddock’s side to be pegged back in first half stoppage time by Alfie Holland-Curwen's strike. 

With visitors Abbey Hey pushing hard for an equaliser, Mossley took full advantage at the other end, with two breakaway goals from Obua Mugalula and Joe Berks capping off a superb victory. 

The fourth and final quarter final tie sees Droylsden host West Didsbury & Chorlton next month, as the Bloods look to complete an all Tameside final four.