Local Non League Results – 01.04.23
Written by Hitmix Local News on 3 April 2023
Local Non League Results – 01.04.23
By Dave Johnson
Congleton Town 2 v 2 Newport Pagnall Town (Newport Pagnall win 3-2 on penalties)
There was plenty of drama at the Cleris Stadium as Congleton Town attempted to get to Wembley as they faces holders Newport Pagnall Town.
Sadly, most of the drama came after the whistle was blown for the end of the 90 minutes as the Bears missed three spot kicks, seeing the visitors celebrating their victory.
In the 35th minute the whole of Congleton erupted when the Bears went in front. Pete Williams sent a corner kick into the box and it was met by the head of player-boss Richard Duffy, whose header hit the back of the net.
The lead didn’t last too long, however, and the visitors were level in the 45th minute when Dave Parton was beaten by Jake Watkinson to ensure a nail-biting second forty-five minutes, but first there were eight minutes of added time to play.
Twelve minutes into the second half the Bears’ chances of a Wembley appearance were dealt a big blow when Newporrt Pagnall took the lead. Parton got a hand to Mo Ahmed’s shot but couldn’t keep it out.
In the 70th minute the home crowd were on their feet once again as Ethen Hartshorn found the net with a volley from just outside the box to put the Bears back on level terms.
The game went to penalties but after missing the first three of their spot kicks, Congleton were beaten 3-2 on penalties.
Congleton now look forward to Easter Saturday when they play in another semi-final, this time away to Kendal Town in the Macron Cup.
Glossop North End 4 v 1 Newcastle Town
This is a result Newcastle could have really done without as they were beaten by a Glossop side struggling at second from bottom of the table.
It leaves Castle precariously one place above the drop zone, one place and just two points ahead of Colne in 17th place and looking over their shoulders.
Keaton Mulvey put the home side ahead a minute before half time and Glossop didn’t look back, with Nathan Valentine adding a second in the 64th minute.
With ten minutes remaining Mulvery got his season and Glossop’s third, then in stoppage time Luke Nock grabbed a fourth. Patryk Mazurkiewicz pulled one back, but it was much too late to affect the outcome.
Kidsgrove Athletic 0 v 1 Runcorn Linnets
Kidsgrove’s slim chances of getting into the play-offs are more or less over after this disappointing result as they were beaten by a decent-looking Runcorn Linnets side.
They looked like they might get a point from the game, which would have kept their hopes alive as it would have kept the gap between the two sides at four points.
But with the gap now eight points, with Linnets in the final play-off place and just four games remaining, it is all over bar the shouting.
Grove were still in the game up until the 72nd minute when Lewis Doyle did the damage when the ball dropped to him just inside the box. He took a touch then curled the ball into the net,
Hanley Town 4 v 0 1874 Northwich
Any concerns about Hanley’s chances of remaining in this league were given a huge boost thanks to this, their third win in a row – and what a convincing win it was.
They were in front after just five minutes when Reece Jones for Jake Twyford to volley home and they went further ahead after 18 minutes when Kieran Brown added a second.
Tywford was on the mark again with his second and Hanley’s second when, after 63 minutes, he killed any hopes Northwich had of getting back into the game when he again netted with a well-taken volley.
The icing on the cake for Hanley came from the penalty spot in the last minute. The spot-kick was dispatched by Brown to complete the scoring and a great afternoon for the home side.
Clitheroe 1 v 0 Leek Town
It was a disappointing drive home to the Moorlands for Leek Town after a narrow defeat at the hands of Clitheroe, which effectively handed Macclesfield the league title.
Leek would also have lost second spot in the table had Workington now suffered a shock defeat away to struggling Widnes.
Level at the interval, Leek started the second half determined to make their mark, but it was the home side who struck the first blow to leave the visitors reeling.
Leek ‘keeper Dan Roberts was beaten by Dan Roberts and the visitors were unable to reply and were sent home empty-handed
Macclesfield 3 v 1 Trafford
Macclesfield are celebrating tonight after this win, combined with Leek Town’s defeat confirms the Silkmen are promoted as champions.
Dan Sweeney showed superb feet, bringing down Brandon Lee’s cross, finding half a yard before calmly beating Cooper in The Trafford goal with four minutes on the clock.
Five minutes later the Silkmen doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty kick and up stepped Alex Curran to convert from the spot.
Midway through the first half the visitors were presented with the perfect opportunity to pull a goal back when they too were awarded a spot kick, but they were thwarted by Macclesfield ‘keeper Wyll Stanway who made the save, but a minute later Max Hazeldine managed to put the visitors back in it.
But were the visitors back in it? It seems not, as four minutes before the interval Neil Kengni buries a half volley to restore Macclesfield’s two-goal advantage.
Radcliffe 0 v Stafford Rangers 0
Rangers took a hard-earned point from Radcliffe, a disappointing result for the home side who slipped down to fourth place after dropping two home points.
Stafford are not quite safe just yet, but every point they earn between now and the end of the season is precious, and it could be argued this one is maybe more precious than others given the opponents.
They still have to face leaders South shields at Marston Road at the end of the season so the next three fixtures could be really important.
They are at home to Whitby Town, who are directly above them in the table, before away games at Nantwich Town on Easter Monday and then FC United of Manchester in their penultimate game of the season.
Marine 0 v 3 Nantwich Town
It’s probably too early to start playing ‘The Great Escape’ just yet, but things are looking a little rosier after a terrific result away to play-off contenders Marine.
The Dabbers went in front on the half hour when Aiden Roxburgh got to the bye-line before pulling the ball back for Sean Cooke to fire home the opener.
Nantwich doubled their lead after Connor Evans was pulled down inside the box and Byron Harrison finished emphatically, slamming the spot kick into the top corner of the net.
In the 77th minute, Connor Evans wrapped up the three points when he managed to curve inside before tucking his shot under Marine ‘keeper Bayleigh Passant
