Match Report by Sam Jeavons 

Following a stalemate at the weekend against Spennymoor Town, a Tuesday night trip to the MTA awaited to face Marine FC.

Buckley-Ricketts forced an early save with a shot on target, but it didn’t trouble shot stopper Mathew Corran.

Marine were in the game forcing a couple of corners and giving Curzon’s back line work to do, but the Nash were moving the ball around confidently and decisively. The defence looked solid allowing no shots on target throughout, showing why they sit where they do in the division.

Hayhurst caused danger down the flanks whipping some dangerous balls in, one finding Mols whose acrobatic effort went wide.

A few decisions didn’t go in favour of Buckley-Ricketts and the frustration showed for the number 7. It was Mattock and Doyle who found themselves in the referee’s book for the Mariners however, the former bringing down Afuye to hinder an attack.

It looked as the night drew on, a goal would be harder and harder to come by. Vitally just three minutes after the break, some brilliant skill from the lively Afuye in close quarters with Marine defenders drew the foul in the box, penalty to Curzon!

Mols the man to step up having been everywhere in the first half, he slotted home confidently in front of the travelling fans to give the Nash the lead.  With this spot kick, he bolsters his top scoring position in the team, with a sixth league goal of the campaign.

With Marine’s precarious league position, they looked to attack the game with some positive substitutions. The double change had the desired effect, leading to a momentum swing which the Nash had to navigate carefully.

Halfway through the second period Afuye was down for some time after colliding with the opposition dugout, a nasty looking fall, he made way for Craig Mahon.

Shortly after, Marine had their chance of the night, a great delivery by Sinclair-Smith was begging to be tapped home, but that decisive touch never came and Curzon remained in the lead.

Moments win games however, and it was substitute David Worrall with the one of the night. Buckley-Ricketts found him on the edge of the area where he spotted the opposition keeper off his line, and produced an inch perfect chip to clear Corran!

An unbelievable finish and a huge moment to set clear daylight between the two sides entering the final quarter of the match.

Curzon’s quality shone through in the second half and ultimately earned them the points. Clinical going forward, but the maturity and game management shown to deal with the Mariners’ late pressure.

The whole team showed great maturity to take all three points back to The Tameside Stadium, full time, Marine 0-2 Curzon!

Two points from the top with a game in hand, the win sets up an encounter with Radcliffe on Saturday at home.