Match Preview by Leon Higgins

After getting back to winning ways in the National League North against Alfreton Town two weeks ago, Mark Bradshaw’s side suffered FA Trophy heartbreak to Marine last time out. The Nash return to league action ahead of a busy festive period, with one of the toughest tests, a 191 mile trip to the South Wales valleys to face promotion chasing Merthyr Town.

Curzon have been boosted with Max Murray and George Sebine joining the squad after signing on loan from Huddersfield on Friday.

The Nash currently sit 9th in the league table, one point off Spennymoor who occupy the last play off place.

Merthyr on the other hand have taken to life in the National League pyramid for the first time like a duck to water. The Martyrs currently sit 3rd in the league table, on 40 points, seven off top of the table AFC Fylde.

Last time out, top of the table AFC Fylde handed Merthyr their first defeat in nine league games with a 1-0 victory. In the other previous four matches, Merthyr have won on the road at Buxton and claimed victories against Leamington (4-1) and Alfreton (6-2) at Penydarren Park. A 3-2 home loss came in the FA Trophy against Hanwell Town.

November’s impressive title race form, saw The Martyrs claim a double National League North monthly award with manager Paul Michael claim manager of the month while Ricardo Rees claimed player of the month. An incredible four weeks brought seven wins from seven against Darlington, AFC Telford United, Bedford Town, South Shields, Alfreton Town, Leamington and Buxton while scoring 28 goals. Michael also earned a nomination for September after claiming two victories including in the FA Cup against Torpoint Athletic. The only loss came against Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Ricardo Rees claimed player of the month after scoring 13 goals in eight games which included two hat-tricks. He now has 23 goals in the division already (six ending up as match winning goals) and no player in England’s top six leagues has scored more than the 25 year old. Despite the step up to the National League regional football, It’s not unfamiliar territory that Rees has scored so many goals after scoring 30 goals in each of his last two seasons.

Since the first ever meeting between the sides in August, Merthyr have claimed several team of the weeks. Ricardo Rees has dominated with selections coming in GW4 after his brace against the Nash, GW8, GW13, GW15, GW16, GW17 and GW18. Other nominations have come from Tom Handley (GW7), Lewys Twamley (GW14,GW19), Matthew Harris (GW14) and Noah Smerdon (GW18).

Head to Head:

There has only been one previous meeting between the sides with The Martyrs claiming a 3-0 victory at the Tameside Stadium back in August.

Curzon Ashton:

• Tony Weston was named in GW20 team of the week.
• Only Fylde’s Jonathan Ustabasi (4) has more goals off the bench than Brad Holmes (3). Merthyr’s Tom Handley also has three.
• The Nash have failed to win from a losing position, matching the records of Chester, Southport, Bedford and Oxford City.
• Only Buxton (6), Merthyr and Darlington (5) have scored more stoppage time goals than Curzon (4).

Merthyr Town:

• Lewys Twamley has the most assists in the league with 13.
• The Martyrs sit top of the FairPlay table.
• Merthyr have scored the most headed goals in the league (7)
• Only Oxford City (26) have conceded more second half goals than Merthyr’s (23).

Management Preview:

Following FA Trophy defeat last weekend, Head Coach Mark Bradshaw commented:

It’s a real tough place to go against a quality side but what Curzon have done historically is that they bounce-back from disappointment.

It’s a really disappointing day today (FA Trophy), it hurts when you feel you are in control of a game and you let it slip away but we’ll be working hard to bounce-back next week and hopefully give Merthyr a difficult game whatever eleven we put out there.

Match Information:

Admission: Buy tickets here

Media: Listen live