LIAM Tongue’s trick when it comes to goals seems to have worked again – do not strike the ball cleanly.
The Hyde United ace opened the scoring as Nick Spooner’s side got back to winning ways in the Northern Premier League with a 2-0 victory at Marske.
But he admitted he hit shots that did not go in the net better than the one that actually did.
Tongue told the club: “It was important after last week that we bounced back.
“The pitch was bobbly, soft and muddy – it had everything. We said it would be about who’s going to run the hardest, who’s going to run the furthest.
“The one that went in, I probably didn’t catch it as well as I should but that’s always the case with me – they always go in when I don’t hit it as clean as I should!”
Goals were not in short supply at Curzon Ashton, as they won their National League North game with Gloucester City 4-3.
Two goals from Tom Peers added to strikes from Jimmy Spencer and Hayden Campbell – but manager Adam Lakeland revealed a half-time blast did the trick.
He said: “I don’t think it should’ve been 4-3. We played a major part in the scoreline being so close.
“I thought the front three were tremendous and the second half performance was superb. I can’t repeat half of what I said to them at half time, but they needed it.
“It was important we backed up a good win with another three points.”
Stalybridge Celtic manager Chris Willcock hopes to bring in new faces after suffering a spate of injuries – and last-gasp heartache as Whitby struck a last-minute winner at Bower Fold.
He said: “We’ve had to deal with a few injuries lately. We’ll see if we can add to the squad to help us through those and hopefully, we’ll have the lads back with us at the earliest opportunity.”
Willcock did, however, highlight the emergence of Glebs Klujevs, who made his first team debut against Marine, adding: “We saw Glebs from the Under 18s make his debut, which was a great moment for him and something for him to build on.”
Steve Cunningham is adamant things will come good at Ashton United, if he is given time.
He said after the 2-1 home defeat to Radcliffe, which was followed by a more encouraging 1-1 draw at Stafford Rangers: “We’re building something, it’s a new dressing room.
“I know people will get sick of me saying it but it’s true. We’ve been in the house here-and-a-half weeks and had nine players out with nine in.
“It’s always going to take a bit of time. People have got to be patient.”
Denton Town celebrated being back at Whittles Park after burst pipes flooded the dressing rooms with a 1-0 Cheshire League win over Avon Villa, with Caleb Affleck getting the goal.
And Dukinfield Town suffered a 5-1 defeat at Mersey Royal FC in the Cheshire FA’s County Amateur Cup.