Match Report by Joel Longworth

A double from Ricardo Rees either side of a Kieran Evans goal guarantees that Merthyr head back to South Wales with all three points.

Curzon started the game poorly as Merthyr had all the early pressure as Callum Ryan-Phillips cross into the box was defended by Poscha, The Nash went behind in the fourth minute of the game as Merthyr Town’s top goal scorer, Ricardo Rees slotted past Callum Hawkins in the Curzon Ashton net.

Six minutes in and Curzon looked to reply instantly with Tony Weston and Jordan Richards putting crosses into the box but were both dealt with comfortably.

With just twelve minutes on the clock it went from bad to worse for The Nash as Jordan Richards went down with an injury and couldn’t continue, forcing Mark Bradshaw into an early substitution with Timi Sobowale replacing the Curzon defender.

Just after the half hour mark, Merthyr were in again as Ricardo Rees’ shot was blocked by Marcus Poscha with the Merthyr fans behind the goal shouting for a penalty but the referee signalled no penalty.. Only 2 minutes later Merthyr had a chance to double their lead as they were in again this time through Lewys Twamley, whose shot was saved by Hawkins but the linesman flagged for offside.

With half time approaching, Curzon were looking to get a goal back, the first opportunity came from Tony Weston as he was in behind Merthyr’s defence however his cross was cleared by Merthyr defender Tom Handley. Crispin McLean also had his cross cleared, as his ball into the box was dealt with by the Merthyr defence.

With only 5 minutes to go until half time, Merthyr doubled their lead through midfielder Keiran Evans.

Half time arrived with The Nash having work to do in the second half.

HT 0-2

Mark Bradshaw made a triple substitution at half-time as he brought on Joe Rodwell-Grant, Jack Stobbs and Brad Holmes to replace Tony Weston, Charlie Weston & Ben Darby.

The second half began like the first with The Nash starting poorly and Merthyr creating chances as Ricardo Rees had the ball outside the box with his curling shot going just wide of Hawkins’ far post. Curzon’s poor performance continued as Adam Barton was dispossessed on the halfway line as Lewis Twamley’s shot was blocked by Poscha which went for a corner.

On the hour mark, Curzon had a chance to pull a goal back as Joe Rodwell-Grant was in behind Merthyr’s defence as his shot was saved by Jamie Cogman in the Merthyr net.

In the 65th minute, Merthyr scored their third goal of the game and the second for Ricardo Rees who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

With twenty minuted of the game remaining Curzon had a chance to pull a goal back as substitute Jack Stobbs was in behind down the left hand side as his shot was spilled in the direction of Brad Holmes who failed to get any connection on the ball.

Mark Bradshaw made his fifth and final substitution of the afternoon with fifteen minutes left to play as he brought on Ben Connolly for Alex Curran.

Into the final 3 minutes of the game, substitute Ben Connolly had the ball outside the box with his shot producing a save out of Jamie Cogman this afternoon.

The full time whistle blew with Curzon falling to defeat for the first time this season.

FT 0-3

Curzon will look to get their first win of the season on bank holiday Monday as they travel to Buxton.