After the greatest cup competition in the world, comes the greatest game there ever could be (in this writers opinion..…)

The Nash

The Nash are flying! Through to the 1st round of the FA Cup where they will play Mansfield Town in a few weeks, and sitting 3rd in the National League North with a game in hand on some of those around them.

The squad is strong and again heads into this one with everyone raring to go. Isaac Sinclair returned against Kings Lynn last week, with Ben Darby missing out through injury, but it was once again those off the bench who made the difference.

The goal last week came after the substitutes combined, Manager Craig Mahon, laying off the ball for Mike Afuye who crossed for Luis Lacey to smash home, what a roar it was. These however, are the kind of headaches that aren’t a bad thing for a manager to have, and it will be interesting to see if Mahon continues to use his bench in this way going forward or potentially looks to try something new against Hereford.

Hereford

Now, some may say that the National League North fixture between Curzon Ashton and Hereford FC (The Bulls) isn’t a derby, but some (like me), might call it the “Oli Biddle derby”!

My birthplace and club I followed as a youth was Hereford United. I was there in 1997, aged 11, the day (now Premier League) Brighton retained their status as a league club and Hereford fell into the then known Conference. How different history could have been!

The current club (Hereford FC) find themselves in a promising period. The manager (Paul Caddis) is into his 2nd season in charge after a complete rebuild for the 1st.
This has allowed him to obtain a number of experienced players at this level and higher (Adam Rooney, Matt Preston, Yusifu Ceesay) and also keep hold of Hereford United legend Andy Williams. When all are fit, they would be considered as having one of the strongest starting 11’s in the league.

Despite being 4th in the table, the season has had its up and downs. Knocked out of the FA Cup in the 3rd qualifying round, and their fans have been disappointed in the home form (losing against Needham Market and draws against Radcliffe, Kings Lynn). It is the away form (Wins at Brackley, Buxton and Southport) that has been the catalyst to their lofty league position.
This will certainly make for an interesting game at the Tameside.

I was also at the club (Hereford United) as the match day photographer on that fateful day in 2014 when my club died. We all knew it was coming but that time, still that moment hurts to this day, and it nearly broke my love of photography. Hereford United was my “home”. The “new” club has risen from the ashes of United, the same songs are still sung and the badge eludes to that with “Forever United”, but it just isn’t “my” club anymore.

However, I am one of the lucky ones.
When I moved to Manchester nearly 10 years ago, I didn’t know if I would find that passion again, the club and especially the people of Curzon Ashton have given me that.
If you have never been to see Curzon Ashton, I encourage you to do so. This is a community club, with its heart and passion on show 100% of the time.
Come and try us, see if your find that the Tameside Stadium could be your “HOME”.

#UTN | #TheNash

Match Information 

Vanarama National League North – Match day 11
Curzon Ashton vs Hereford FC | 19th October 2024 | 15:00 BST kick off
Get your tickets here

Tameside Stadium, Richmond St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG
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Match Preview by Oli Biddle