Match Preview by Leon Higgins

The Nash travel west looking to end 2025 in winning ways after three successive defeats in all competitions.

Following two festive defeats to Merthyr and Radcliffe, Curzon now sit 11th in the league table on 31 points, four points off Scarborough who occupy the last play off position.

Southport currently reside at the other end of the table, with The Sandgrounders currently in 19th position on 20 points, three points ahead of Oxford City who currently occupy the last relegation place.

The last five games has been some positive reading, with only one defeat coming last time out against local rivals Marine. Prior to that, draws against Worksop, Alfreton and Telford in the league came with a FA Trophy victory over Leek Town.

Head to Head:

There has been 17 meetings between the sides with 14 of those coming in the league alongside three cup clashes. The first game between the sides was a league game on 11th November 2017 with all fixtures between the sides having taken place in the National North League.

The Nash have claimed three victories compared to the Sandgrounders four with seven draws between the sides.

In a previous league fixture that stands out, was the Nash’s 3-2 win on Boxing Day of 2023. Current Nash league top goalscorer Brad Holmes scored for Southport that day along with ex Nashman Harry Flowers to put Southport 2-0 up before Curzon stormed back to win 3-2.

In cup competitions Curzon have the better head to head record with two wins compared to Southport’s one. In all cup matches the away team has always won.

Curzon Ashton:

• In Curzon’s three wins in the league vs Southport, Jimmy Spencer has scored in all three games
• Curzon are yet to win when failing behind. Southport also hold the same record.

Southport:

• Sonny Hilton (GW2), Chris Renshaw (GW8,GW15), Arthur Gnahoua (GW9 – Abandoned match against Peterborough Sports when leading 2-1) Tom Moore (GW11,GW16) and Jordan Slew (GW17,GW18) have all represented Southport in the divisions team of the weeks.
• Former England U19 international Jordan Slew is the Sandgrounders top goalscorer in the league this season with 5 goals since joining in the summer.

Management preview:

Speaking after the Boxing Day defeat to local rivals Radcliffe, Head Coach Mark Bradshaw commented:

We’ll be In training on Sunday preparing for that game, obviously we have to look at who’s doing well, who’s playing well, who deserves an opportunity.

We have had a disappointing run of results and sometimes you have to give other people an opportunity.

We kept the same team (today) that played at Merthyr and it wasn’t through lack of effort or commitment, but if things aren’t working then you do have to give other people the opportunities, so that’s an option we’ll have to look at on Sunday – once we’ve looked at Southport as well, what they’re doing and how they’re doing it and we’ll be aiming to bounce back.

Match Information:

Admission: Buy tickets here

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