Match Report by Leon Higgins

A penalty from Ricardo Rees and the winner from Lee Lucas, cancelled out Brad Holmes’ 78th minute equaliser as promotion chasing Merthyr returned to winning ways in a close contest in South Wales.

Curzon started the quickest, with Charlie Weston’s shot blocked by the Merthyr defence after three minutes. Minutes later Tony Weston rounded Jamie Cogman but his shot was deflected for one of Curzon’s six corners in the first half.

Curzon’s next great chance came in the 14th minute when a Kieran Evans error saw Tony Weston in on goal and a 2-on-1 position as he attempted to square the ball to Alex Curran but the ball was cleared behind for another Nash corner. As Merthyr started to grow into the game and gained more possession, Curzon still continued to produce chances as Alex Curran ran in behind the Martyrs defence, hitting a first time volley which was brilliantly saved by Cogman.

Five minutes later Tony Weston had his own chance at scoring from a volley but just fired over. After Kieran Evens went down injured there was a break in play, and instantly Curzon came close again when Tony Weston brilliantly got past the Merthyr defence and decided to chip Jamie Cogman, who again denied the Nash from taking the lead.

At the other end, Callum Hawkins was called into action when he saved a powerful shot by Merthyr’s number 19 Kieran Evans .

Tony Weston was then denied again by Cogman leaving Mark Bradshaw’s side frustrated. As three minutes extra time at the end of the first half was indicated, Merthyr were awarded a penalty. The National League North top goalscorer and Martyrs talisman, Ricardo Rees stepped up and coolly placed his penalty into the bottom corner for his 24th goal of the season.

HT 1-0

After having a quite first half, Ricardo Rees produced the first chance of the half when the ball landed at the feet of Rees who’s shot was blocked by Timi Sobowale. After Merthyr were awarded a corner in which Curzon cleared, Charlie Weston produced a counter attack by playing Alex Curran in on goal but his shot was blocked by the chasing Merthyr defence.

As Merthyr began to dominate proceedings, Jamie Cogman played a superb pass to Will Spiers who played the ball into the path of Rees but could only fire into the hands of Callum Hawkins. Lewys Twamley then had a chance but several Curzon bodies were on hand to stop the shot with Hawkins scrambling to win the ball.

The Nash thought they’d found the equaliser in the 68th minute as the ball was in the back of the net but was ruled offside, before two great chances for both teams. First Alex Curran played a great ball into the box, picking out Chi Ezennolim who could only fire his header wide. Ricardo Rees was then played in on goal before he fired over.

The Nash finally got their goal when McLean played in Brad Holmes who smashed home. Merthyr then hit straight back through Lee Lucas. As Merthyr tried to close out the game, Jamie Cogman then made an outstanding save to stop a swerving cross from going in and managed to hang on for the win and keep them third. Curzon now sit 9th in the table, two points off the play-off places.

FT 2-1

The Nash return to action by hosting play-off chasing and local rivals Radcliffe on Boxing Day (3PM KO).