Match Preview by Leon Higgins

Curzon started off September with a first home win of the season on Tuesday thanks to goals from Brad Holmes and Jimmy Spencer against Chorley.

Tuesday’s victory leaves Mark Bradshaw’s side 14th in the league on nine points. With just one other league fixture in September after the Bedford clash, against the only unbeaten side in the league, South Shields,  and with a FA Cup clash against Hebburn Town in between , Curzon will be looking to go into a busy October with more points on the board and full of confidence.

Last season’s Premier Division Central champions, Bedford come into this match in the relegation zone, sitting in 21st on five points, two points off Hereford who sit just above the drop zone. The Eagles last five games have included one win against AFC Telford United alongside three defeats to AFC Flyde, South Shields and Marine. On Tuesday, Bedford did claim a point after a 2-2 draw at Edgar Street against Hereford, which saw them taking a two goal lead.

The Eagles have strengthened this summer by signing several players with National League North and South experience as well as bringing in young Swedish striker, John Shamalo on loan from League Two side Barrow, Jack McDowell from QPR, Josh Tomlinson from Northampton and Rwanda international Claude Kayibanda.

Head to Head:

This will be the first time the teams have played each other.

Curzon Ashton:

• Crispin McLean made it into the midweek Enterprise National League North team of the week.
• Brad Holmes’ goal on Tuesday made it 3 goals in 3 starts for the Nash.
• The Nash are yet to lose when leading after taking the lead on 4 occasions so far.
• While Curzon are yet to score from a penalty or free kick so far, Bedford have scored 2 free kicks joint top with Merthyr.
• Only Alfreton (5), Peterborough Sports (6) and Hereford and Southport (7) have scored less goals the Curzon’s (8)

Bedford:

• Summer striker signing from Boreham Wood, Tyrone Marsh is joint top goal scorer in the division with 7 goals in 6 games. Kings Lynn’s Michael Gyasi also has 7. Marsh has the most goals at home scoring 5 times at the Eyrie.
• Marsh was also named in the Enterprise National League North team of the week in GW1 and GW3 after opening day double against Alfreton including a 93rd minute equaliser and his double in GW3 secured a win against Telford – Marsh also received a red card in added time during that game.
• The attacking duo of Tyrone Marsh (7) and Ellis Brown (2) has seen a combination of 9 goals so far this season. Only South Shields Cedwyn Scott (5) and Paul Blackett (5) and Kings Lynn’s Michael Gyasi (7) and Ross Crane (3) have more.
• Only Darlington (10) and Oxford City (8) have score more first half goals than Bedford’s (7)
• Hereford (10), Marine, Buxton and Peterborough Sports (7) are the only sides that have conceded more first half goals than Bedford’s (6)

Management Preview:

Assistant Head Coach previewed tomorrow’s game following Tuesday night’s win against Chorley:

We don’t know much about Bedford but obviously we’ll do our homework on them.

It’s a long journey, a 4g pitch, but we don’t make any excuses, we give them much respect and hopefully we go there with a load of confidence – and hopefully get some points on the road.

EFL Day

Fans with a season ticket for any Premier League or EFL club can get a discounted concessionary ticket. This is a great chance for supporters of teams like Luton Town, who don’t have a game this weekend, to watch some live football.

How to Claim: To get your discounted ticket, you must buy it in advance online and show your season ticket at the turnstile. Advance sales end at 1 pm on Saturday.

England vs. Andorra: After the game, the England match will be shown live in the Maxey Suite. Fans are welcome to stay and watch.

Match Information

Admission: Buy tickets here