Match preview by Matt Stephens

The Nash prepare for their second outing of 2025, following postponed fixtures against Needham Market, Radcliffe and Scarborough Athletic.

The tie is a replay of the Quarter Final of the Manchester Premier Cup from 17th December after the Manchester FA decided the sides should meet again.

Cast your mind back four weeks, when Michael Afuye, Ben Darby and Stefan Mols were all on the scoresheet in a 4-1 away win against our opposition in an emphatic display that Craig Mahon, who recently signed a contract extension, will be hoping to see a repeat of.

Curzon Ashton

• Top scorer Stefan Mols will be looking for his 15th goal of the season in this game, while Isaac Buckley-Ricketts chases and searches for his 10th.
• Curzon are currently at the summit of the National League North by goal difference and have three games in hand on King’s Lynn Town, who have matched our point tally.
• Mahon’s side have one of the best defensive records in the division having conceded 18 goals – only Scunthorpe United and Kidderminster Harriers have conceded less, with 17 each.

Stalybridge Celtic

• The hosts have won two of their last five fixtures, both of which came in the National League Northern Premier, but they lost in their last game.
• With 11 goals to his name in this campaign so far, Liam Tongue is likely to cause a threat to the Curzon backline

The winner will be rewarded with a Semi-Final fixture against Hyde United, who beat Abbey Hey over a month ago to book their place in the final four.