Sport

Nathan Aspinall reached the final in Cardiff with an impressive 136-checkout and a ‘phantom nine-darter’

Can he go one better in Glasgow?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th February 2023

Nathan Aspinall made it all the way to the final in Cardiff during the second round of Premier League Darts on Thursday night, pulling off a number of notable finishes in the process.

Although he was ultimately knocked out by former world number one Gerwyn Price, albeit not on his best form on the night, ‘The Asp’ looked like the man to beat as he managed to brush past two-time WPDC winner Peter Wright and reigning world champion Michael Smith on his way to the final.

If ‘The Iceman’ didn’t have the home crowd on his side — admitting that they got him over the line and now has “14 weeks of hell ahead of him” — Aspinall may very well have taken the win, having beat Price on his way to the semis on the opening night in Belfast on February 2.

However, despite going one further, the Stockport lad fell at the final hurdle, but not before hitting a remarkable 136-checkout to knock out world number one Smith by 6-4.

His overall performance on the night was lauded by fans as not just “impressive” but “outrageous” at times, averaging 105 every three darts.

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The 31-year-old has just one major to his name so far which came in the 2019 UK Open but has continued to develop his game, having reached the semis in the worlds in 2019 and 2020, as well as coming runner-up in the Premier League, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam all in the last three years.

With that in mind, not to mention going one better than last week and following show-stoppers like his 136-finish, it’s looking like The Asp is starting the year off right.

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That wasn’t the only shot that got the crowd on their feet either, as he also pulled off a rare ‘phantom nine-darter’ (also known as a ghost nine-darter) after a bounce-out denied him a perfect leg against Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright. Still, 10 darts isn’t bad either.

6-3 against Peter Wright is no small feat.

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Once again, his performance on the night was so good that many fans remarked that it deserved to be a true nine-darter but at least it added to the theatrics.

Nathan Aspinall currently sits fourth in the table, level on points with Chris Dobey, Gerywn Price and Michael van Gerwen, though the top three do boost a higher leg difference.

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Here’s hoping he puts in another strong showing in Glasgow on Thursday, 16 February.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — PDC Darts/Sky Sports (via Twitter)

Sport

Kobbie Mainoo shouts out more of his favourite food spots in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Man United star Kobbie Mainoo is back putting people onto his favourite places to eat in Manchester, and judging by his picks, he doesn’t just know football – he knows his food spots too.

The Stockport-born footballer turned 20 years old this month, and as well as celebrating leaving his teens with that impressive goal in the comeback against Lyon, the Manchester United midfielder was met with a birthday cake by his club, along with a fun little game of 20 questions.

Sharing the short but insightful Q&A, in which the number 37 dove into his favourite parts of matchdays, the best birthday gift he’s ever received, as well as the tried and tested dream dinner guest lineup.

Naming a very sporty trio of Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan and Jon Jones, the only logical next step was to ask him where his favourite places to eat around Manchester were, to which he answered…

That’s right, spotlighting a personal favourite of ours, the first Manc venue on his list was Pho Cue, the authentic family-run Vietnamese spot known for great value, top-quality street food such as their big hitter bánh mìs, as well as big queues every lunchtime.

If you don’t know already, then get to know.

As you can see, the second place he mentioned with the booked-up-till-kingdom come Onda Pasta Bar, which went viral for its ‘Tiramisu drawer’ last year and opened their first proper restaurant back in June.

Since then, it’s fair to say it’s more popular than ever and you’re lucky to get a table; if you, however, you’ll be treated to some of the most luxurious and indulgent pasta not just in Manchester but probably anywhere in the country, if you ask us.

These latest shout-outs come after Mainoo famously put Salford’s culinary kings, Burgerism, on the nationwide map after name-dropping them in his British GQ interview in November 2024.

You can watch the full thing HERE, but you already know the biggest takeaway from that chat, quite literally: the boy knows his burgers.

Kobbie is actually just one of several famous faces to have proclaimed Burgerism as the best in the business, at least in Greater Manchester of late.

Not only have British influencers Ollie Ball and Jacob Pasquill now become seemingly regular presenters on their social media, but online content creator turned boxer and WWE star Logan Paul also visited the beloved burger joint and reviewed it during a recent visit to the UK.

We’ll confess we’re more likely to take the local lad’s word on board over the bloke who used to make Vines, but it’s just yet more proof that the Manc food scene is top tier.

Come on, just look at the state of these selections:

Not a bad little spread there, Kobb… (Credit: The Manc Eats)

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We’re not sure how much of this stuff Mainoo is allowed on the diet sheet, but we can at least confirm that Kobbie knows his Manchester food, and as far as favourites go, we might just stand a chance of becoming best friends yet.

Happy birthday to a young man with a very bright future and hopefully a very active metabolism.

You can watch the full video down below:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester United/The Manc Group

Sport

Greater Manchester cleans up at first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards

Danny Jones Danny Jones First ever Festival of Women's Football Awards 2025 winners

This week marked the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards (FWFA), which not only saw a whole host of female talent from up and down the English pyramid celebrated, but Greater Manchester in particular picked up a number of accolades.

Of course, we all know that 0161 is the true home of football, with Manchester’s rich sporting heritage known worldwide, but it’s always nice to see our region recognised for its continued contribution to the beautiful game.

That reputation goes double for the women’s game too, as the 2025 FWFA saw a trio of local clubs and a trio of different players winning across multiple categories.

Starting with the blue side of Manchester, Manchester City Women star Yui Hasegawa picked up Player of the Year from a strong shortlist of midfielders.

The 28-year-old Japanese international had been a key cog in Gareth Taylor’s side prior to his departure last month and under returning interim coach Nick Cushing.

Joining the club back in the summer of 2022, Hasegawa famously scored on her debut and was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season.

Playing in 92 of the 96 games since her arrival, she is widely considered not just one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League (WSL) but the world.

As for the red half of the city, not only did Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who has shone since filling the very big boots of Mary Earps – pick up the award for the best shotstopper, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier was named both Defender and Young Player of the Year.

We suppose you could call it a treble of sorts.

Still just 23 and already having represented the Lionesses too, she’s looking like one of Manchester United Women’s team’s most promising prospects.

As for club-wide awards, Wigan Athletic Women’s Team picked up the trophy for ‘Best Fan Experience’, with Greater Manchester and Wigan, specifically, already being noted as one of the trailblazing regions for growing regular attendances and nurturing future female footballers.

Latics Women only launched their squad this season but have already amassed a passionate following, hence the award, and also won the Lancashire Women’s County League Championship at the first time of asking.

Congratulations to all the Greater Mancunian footballing organisations and sports personalities recognised at this year’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards – here’s hoping for even more in 2026!

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Featured Images — Taylor Vincent (via X)/FWFA (supplied)/Shimura19 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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