The Nash went into this one unchanged again against their lower league opponents and through the full 90 minutes deserved the comfortable victory, and in all honesty could and probably should have scored more.

On a huge occasion for the visitors, it couldn’t have started much worse. Within 3 minutes they were 1-0 down through a mistake at the back. A simple ball over the top was latched onto by Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and whilst he was clipped by the defender in the area, the ball bounced off bodies and fell into the back of the net. The referee played the advantage which meant 1-0 to The Nash which until we see a replay, will go down as an Own Goal

Barnoldswick’s best chance of the entire game fell on 10 minutes, when a ball smashed across The Nash box went just past a foot of Gareth Hill who nearly made it 1-1 and that would be as close as they would come all afternoon.

On 14 minutes it was 2-0, Buckley-Ricketts won the ball back high up before giving it to Jimmy Spencer who played in Stefan Mols who then placed his attempt past the Barnoldswick goalkeeper.

It could have been 3 on 19 minutes as Mols hit the bar from a free kick. After this, Spencer and IBR both should have scored from chances and added to the tally. The Nash were in control but were missing numerous opportunities to put the game to bed. Half time, it was 2-0.

The second half continued with dominance for The Nash. In the 53rd minute, 3 was the magic number, as IBR was played through one on one, rounded the keeper and just about managed to evade the defender on the Barnoldswick goal line with his finish. The game was now won, Mike Afuye and Ben Darby made their way onto the pitch with Afuye providing the assist for the fourth goal in the 64th minute. His effort was well saved after cutting in from the right hand side but the ball fell to Mols who smashed home.

More substitutes followed for Curzon with the manager, Craig Mahon, George Waring (making his 100th appearance for The Nash), and Timi Sobowale entering the field. The final few minutes meant the fresh legs took control, especially down the right with Sobowale and Afuye dominating, Afuye turning the full back inside out before slotting in for a fifth goal.

There was still time for a sixth when a ball into the box was met by Ben Darby at the back post who joined Afuye in scoring his first goal for The Nash and roared in delight as the ball hit the back of the net.

A victory that many will have predicted but still a 100% effort required from the full squad to make sure that the requirements were met for Curzon.

Into the hat for the next round with the draw on Monday.

#UTN|#TheNash

Report by Oli Biddle