Match Preview | Hereford (A) – Curzon Ashton FC

Match preview by Leon Higgins

Curzon look to bounce back from Tuesday night’s disappointment against Radcliffe by taking on fellow play off chasers Hereford.

Following dropped points against Marine and Radcliffe after 3 wins on the bounce, Craig Mahon’s side know that a win at Edgar Street would be a massive confidence booster heading into the final stretch of the season.

Boosted by the Friday news of the new signings of striker Marcus Kouam, on loan from League 1 side Stockport County and Matty Litherland who joined on loan from Blackburn Rovers, both set to be in the squad for the Hereford game, adding more attacking options and defensive quality depth to the already joint best defence in the league.

The Nash currently sit 5th in the league table on 65 points and 2 points ahead of the hosts who sit 8th and just outside the play off places while also playing 2 games more. The tightness of the league sees 5 points separate The Nash in 5th and Kings Lynn in 9th with Buxton and Chorley currently occupying the other play off places. Curzon also sit 10 points off the top with 2 games in hand on Scunthorpe and the automatic promotion place.

Saturday sees some crucial games in the race for promotion and play offs with Buxton hosting King’s Lynn and Chester travelling to Glanford Park to take on Scunthorpe.

Hereford’s recent form has taken a turn after an excellent February that saw manager Paul Caddis named National League Manager of the Month after wins over fellow promotion chasers Brackley, King’s Lynn and Buxton, results that lifted The Bulls up to 2nd. The last 3 games have been a complete contrast though and have seen defeats against Scarborough, Rushall Olympic and Darlington.

Head to Head

There have been 11 matches between the sides with Curzon winning 5 of those matches while Hereford have taken 4 victories. There have also been 2 draws.

The first meeting between the sides took place in the 2018/19 season after Hereford had won promotion from the Southern League. Hereford won that game 1-0 but the Nash got revenge in the reverse fixture when Sean Miller scored goal of the Season in a 2-1 win.

Curzon Ashton

Craig Mahon played his 199th game for the club on Tuesday placing him joint 25th on the all time appearance list. Mahon has also managed 94 games.
Tuesday was also a landmark day for Spaniard Stefan Mols who made his 100th appearance for The Nash.
Curzon (26) have conceded the least amount of goals this season in the 3 Vanarma divisions. Scunthorpe (27) are the only other side to better National League Forest Greens (30)
Radcliffe’s 2nd half goal on Tuesday was only the 14th goal The Nash have conceded in the 2nd half of games which still remains the best record in the league.
The Nash have had 12 different goalscorers this season with only Southport (11) having less. In contrast Hereford have the most with 19

Hereford

Andy Williams is The Bulls top goalscorer in the league this season with 8 goals. 4 of those goals have come off the bench which is only bettered by Warrington’s Josh Amis (6)
Alex Babos has 9 assists for Hereford this campaign with the former Wales U21 international sitting behind Chorley’s Adam Blakeman (15), Chester’s Declan Weeks (15) and Kings Lynn’s Josh Hmami (10) in the race for the playmaker award.
Right back Sam Robinson has 15 disciplinary points for 10 yellows and 1 red card with Radcliffe’s Jordan Hulme only claiming more (16)
Hereford are one of only 4 teams that haven’t lost after taking the lead. Kings Lynn, Peterborough Sports and Southport also claim the same record.
The Bulls have scored the most amount of 90+minute goals with 6.

Match Information

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