- Matthews (3')
- Afuye (20')
- Mols (27')
- Buckley-Ricketts (63')
Curzon Ashton prevailed 4-0 at the Tameside Stadium in their National League North clash with Chester FC in a game that meant a lot to Craig Mahon, given his 239 appearances for the opponents.
Goals from Devon Matthews, Mike Afuye, Stefan Mols and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts proved too much for the Seals as Curzon climbed to second in front of a crowd of 1,063.
Defensive solidity has been a priority for the Nash so far this campaign, boasting the second-least goals conceded in the division going into the tie, even managing to keep Caton, one of the league’s top scorers so far, quiet.
Curzon wasted no time as Matthews headed home from Afuye’s corner within just two minutes, giving Craig Mahon’s side an early lead and the first of many goals of the afternoon. The defender rose above the rest of the pack, finding the top right corner and beating the keeper from inside the box, making sure to bag his first league goal of the season in style.
Both Buckley-Ricketts and Afuye were often the causes of stress on the flanks for the Chester backline and their pressure eventually proved too much for the visitors to handle when young goalkeeper Elyh Harrison’s horror pass went straight into the path of Afuye. The winger snatched up the gift and his first league goal for The Nash as he doubled the lead 20 minutes in.
When it seemed it couldn’t get better, more pressure and poor Chester play meant The Nash were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute following a foul on Mols after the Chester defender left a clumsy leg out when they both fought for a loose ball.
Mols stepped up and confidently placed the ball into the bottom left, his stuttered run-up confusing the goalkeeper and giving the visitors a major 3-0 deficit to try to undo as he celebrated his fifth league goal this season.
The mass of away fans were desperate for some attacking football and began to voice their frustrations, booing whenever they saw their team playing the ball backwards. They were finally given something to cheer about in the 42nd minute, though not enough to see them back in the game as their shots couldn’t make it past the resolute Curzon defenders, before Weeks sent an attempt flying over the bar from 25 yards out.
The scoreline read 3-0 as the sides walked down the tunnel for half time with Mahon undoubtedly the happier of the two managers following a dominant first-half display by the Nash.
The visitors started the second half with a significantly higher intensity, resulting in Mahon replacing Mols in an attempt to claw the momentum of the game back into his side’s favor, however it wasn’t to last for the Chester intensity.
After being played in behind by Isaac Sinclair in the 62nd minute, Buckley-Ricketts made no mistake in finding the net and making himself the fourth scorer of what was an incredible afternoon for Curzon Ashton.
Having earned himself a goal and an assist, Afuye received a fantastic reception from his fans as he made way for Luis Lacey immediately after Curzon were fired 4-0 ahead.
Timi Sobowale came on for Isaac Sinclair minutes later in a bid to further enhance the defensive organisation the home side had demonstrated to that point. Lacey came close to adding to the scoresheet in the 86th minute, his effort straight at the keeper after Buckley-Rickett’s quick feet and lay-off in the box found the winger. Cameron Tetlow and Charlie Bingley both made cameo appearances off the bench in added time as the Nash saw out an impressive victory.
The emphatic victory means the Nash are now equal on points, but just one goal-difference behind league leaders Chorley with a game in hand, sending the fans home delighted after brilliant performances all over the pitch and three points to add to the tally.
Curzon will host League One side Mansfield in the First Round of the FA Cup in their next outing, a fixture that will certainly attract an eager and hopeful crowd of Nash fans back to the Tameside.
#UTN | #TheNash
Contributions by: Matthew Stephens and Samuel Jeavons
