Match Report by Lewis McInnes & Dan Needham 

A 90th minute winner from Lewis Bell saw Marine win against Curzon Ashton in the Third Round of the FA Trophy.

The hosts started well at the Tameside Stadium, with early chances from Charlie Weston and Alex Curran. However, both sides struggled to maintain possession in the early stages of the game.

As the game opened up, Curzon managed to have some chances. Curran’s ball into the box found Spencer in a promising position, yet Spencer failed to hold onto the ball. After the ball was recycled, Ezennolim’s low driven cross glided across the penalty area, yet no Curzon player could manage to get a touch on it.

Alex Curran’s free kick attempt from shooting range soared over Marine’s wall as the midfielder could not find the target.

Sinclair-Smith’s powerful low strike across the face of the goal was vitally intercepted by Joel Amado to deny the visitors a chance.

In the 28th minute, Alex Curran opened the scoring in the FA Trophy cup tie, following a counter attack from the hosts. Brilliant play from Ben Darby and Tony Weston saw Weston’s eventual shot saved, but parried into the feet of Curran, who did not fail to score from close range.

However, in the 40th minute, Finlay Sinclair-Smith equalised for the visitors. His spectacular finish into the top right corner curled past Callum Hawkins to pull a goal back before half time. Sinclair-Smith’s flair on the left wing was proving a problem for Curzon Ashton throughout the first 45 minutes.

Curzon were lucky to not concede again before the half time whistle, as James Potters’ header missed the frame of the goal by inches, as Marine almost snatched the lead.

A forceful strike from Adam Thomas moments before half time directed wide for Marine.

HT: Curzon Ashton 1-1 Marine

The Nash began the second half with some great link-up play as a one-two between Alex Curran and Jimmy Spencer gave the skipper room to shoot but his effort was comfortably saved by Fraser Barnsley.

The visitors replied with an effort of their own from Sinclair-Smith three minutes later, which forced Callum Hawkins into a save as the game was starting to gain some momentum.

In the 55^th minute The Mariners had a golden chance to get themselves in front as Sinclair-Smith played James Potter through one-on-one with Hawkins. He lifted his effort over the on-rushing goalkeeper but couldn’t keep it under the crossbar.

Just after the hour mark, Mark Bradshaw looked to his bench to try and win the game for Curzon with Brad Holmes, Crispin McLean, Jack Stobbs and Chris Stokes coming on to replace Alex Curran, Charlie Weston, Adam Barton and Jordan Richards.

The visitors began to create chances once again as Adam Thomas fired just wide of the post before Callum Hawkins was forced into a brilliant close-range stop from Marine skipper Josh Wardle. 

Curzon’s best chance to win it came just two minutes later as a perfectly disguised pass from Jack Stobbs found Tony Weston inside the box but his stabbed effort at goal whistled just wide of Fraser Barnsley’s goal.

However, moments after the fourth official indicated for three minutes of additional time, Sinclair-Smith found himself free in the box and squared the ball across the box for Lewis Bell who tapped in to send the visitors through to the fourth round.

Captain Jimmy Spencer was sent off moments after, with referee Lewis Dawson blowing the final whistle moments later.

FT 1-2.

The Nash return to league action next Saturday with a trip to Merthyr Town in Wales, with kick-off at 3:00PM.