Match Preview by Leon Higgins

Tuesday’s draw with Spennymoor Town ended a two game win streak at home but Adam Barton’s late goal maintained a good unbeaten home record since losing to South Shields back in September.

With several teams missing games last weekend due to FA Cup first round proper action, the league returns to a full Saturday programme. The Nash currently sit 7th and in the final play off spot in the league table, ahead of Macclesfield and Spennymoor by virtue of goal different (+6) to Macclesfield’s (+4) and Spennymoor’s (0). It is worth noting that both Macclesfield and Spennymoor have two games in hand due to involvement in the FA Cup.

Scarborough currently sit 5th in the league table after a brilliant start to the season. Their form in the opening two months of the season saw both nominations for National League Player and Manger of the month in August and September. Stephen Walker was nominated for August player of the month after scoring six goals in as many games with a goal coming every 64 minutes played. Luca Colville was also nominated for September player of the month. Neither player won the awards but still both performances showed The Seadogs impressive start to the season.

Manager Jonathan Greening has also had two nominations. In August he guided The Seadogs to four wins, a draw and a single loss while also seeing 12 goals scored. In September it was one win, one draw and one loss combined with a win against Ashton in the FA Cup that saw Greening get another nomination.

The last five games have been the opposite for Scarborough though with just a win to go with four loses. A home victory against Leamington was followed by defeats against Telford, South Shields, Marine and Worksop scoring just two goals and conceding 11 in those loses. They didn’t however play in midweek after their game against Radcliffe was postponed until the 16th December after their ground sharing tenants, Bridlington Town, played in the East Riding County Cup.

Head to Head:

There has been 9 meetings between the sides with three of those clashes in the FA Cup six in the National League North.

In the National League North meetings, Curzon have claimed five wins while The Seadogs have only claimed one victory with no draws occurring.

The FA Cup has also provided The Nash with two wins and a draw.

First time the two sides met was the 2014-15 season FA Cup 2nd Qual, The Nash won 1-0 thanks to a Sam Walker goal from distance .

Curzon Ashton:

• South Shields Jasper Sheik (8), Spennymore’s Brad James (6), Kidderminster’s Christian Dibble and Merthyr’s Jaimie Cogman (5) are the only goalkeepers to have more clean sheets than Callum Hawkins (4)
• Of the 11 times The Nash have lead this season they are yet to lose.
• Curzon have scored 16 second half goals. Fylde (20), Chorley (19), South Shields (18) and Radcliffe (17) are the only teams with more.
• Worksop (19) are the only side to use less players than both Curzon and Scarborough (20)

Scarborough Athletic:

• Jake Hull (GW2,GW6), Alex Brown (GW4), Alex Wiles (GW5), and Will Thornton (GW7,GW9,GW10) have all been named in National League North team of the weeks.
• Only Merthyr’s Ricardo Rees (15), Bedford’s Tyrone Marsh (11), Spennymoor’s Glen Taylor, Radcliffe’s Rio Clegg and AFC Fylde’s Danny Ormerod (10) have more goals than Stephan Walker (9). Six of Walker’s goals have come at home with only Tyrone Marsh scoring more at home (7)
• Alongside Merthyr, Spennymoor, Southport and South Shields, The Seadogs are yet to have a red card this season.

Management Preview:

We heard from Mark Bradshaw following Tuesday night’s game against Spennymoor.

It’s just another quality team, there’s no easy game in this league.

This league, this year, is going to be relentless and whoever comes here or wherever we go, we’re going to be fully prepared – It’s on the day, have we got the energy, have we got the decision making, have we got the togetherness. Recently we have been fantastic in all of those departments.

Scarborough, a very good footballing side, you could see the qualities developing last season and he’s kept the majority of his players, which is always a help. They’ve got good experience of this league even though they’re relatively young – and we’ve just got to go into that game with the belief we’ve shown in recent games and give it 100%.

Happy Hour:

Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s fixture the Nash Bar within the stadium will be open from twelve o’clock and will be holding a ‘happy hour’ between 12-2pm with all pints of lager and cider available for £4.

Songs of the Terraces:

Following Saturday’s game, two of the Curzon Ashton Walking Football Team, Kevin & Chris, will be performing ‘Songs of the Terraces’ in the Harry Twamley Suite (function room) from 5-7pm.

Match Information

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