Droylsden Win Manchester Premier Cup
Fri 17th April 2026 | County Cup Competitions | By Martin Fallon
A superb victory over Curzon Ashton on Wednesday evening saw Droylsden lift the Manchester Premier Cup at Broadhurst Park.
The Bloods have a lot of pedigree in this competition having won it 13 times previously, although many of them were when they played higher up the football pyramid. This was their first final since 2011, and was against a Curzon Ashton side who play four leagues higher in the National League North.
Droylsden took the game to their opponents from the start and took the lead after just seven minutes. Nellson Van found Cody Artwell inside the box, and he got to the byline before cutting the ball back for Caelan Kilheeney who steered home via the left hand post.
Curzon came close to equalising two minutes later when Ben Darby's effort was well saved by Jordan Latham. The best chance of the half though came Droylsden's way on the stroke of half time with a goalline clearance from Charlie Weston denying Kilheeney his second.
Six minutes after the break, Artwell added a second for Droylsden, when a long ball from Latham was flicked on with Artwell’s superbly weighted lob giving Josh Ollerenshaw no chance.
Curzon continued to press but could find no way past the excellent Latham who denied them at every opportunity with some fine saves. He was finally beaten in the 89th minute, Harry Olufowobi's excellent through ball allowing Ben Darby to find the corner.
However it was too little too late with Droylsden holding on to record a hugely impressive victory.
Manager Dave Pace said afterwards “It’s nice to get the fans a trophy. They’ve come out in their numbers all year to support us, and I just hope we can finish it off by getting promoted as we look to navigate the play-off's”.
Congratulations to everyone at Droylsden on their win.
Photo Courtesey of Lewis McKenna Photography
Droylsden Win Manchester Premier Cup
Fri 17th April 2026 | County Cup Competitions
By Martin Fallon
A superb victory over Curzon Ashton on Wednesday evening saw Droylsden lift the Manchester Premier Cup at Broadhurst Park.
The Bloods have a lot of pedigree in this competition having won it 13 times previously, although many of them were when they played higher up the football pyramid. This was their first final since 2011, and was against a Curzon Ashton side who play four leagues higher in the National League North.
Droylsden took the game to their opponents from the start and took the lead after just seven minutes. Nellson Van found Cody Artwell inside the box, and he got to the byline before cutting the ball back for Caelan Kilheeney who steered home via the left hand post.
Curzon came close to equalising two minutes later when Ben Darby's effort was well saved by Jordan Latham. The best chance of the half though came Droylsden's way on the stroke of half time with a goalline clearance from Charlie Weston denying Kilheeney his second.
Six minutes after the break, Artwell added a second for Droylsden, when a long ball from Latham was flicked on with Artwell’s superbly weighted lob giving Josh Ollerenshaw no chance.
Curzon continued to press but could find no way past the excellent Latham who denied them at every opportunity with some fine saves. He was finally beaten in the 89th minute, Harry Olufowobi's excellent through ball allowing Ben Darby to find the corner.
However it was too little too late with Droylsden holding on to record a hugely impressive victory.
Manager Dave Pace said afterwards “It’s nice to get the fans a trophy. They’ve come out in their numbers all year to support us, and I just hope we can finish it off by getting promoted as we look to navigate the play-off's”.
Congratulations to everyone at Droylsden on their win.
Photo Courtesey of Lewis McKenna Photography
