Match Report by Sol Finnon

A 16th clean sheet of the season is celebrated as Curzon defeat South Shields in a 3-0 emphatic victory that sends alarm bells ringing across the division.

Curzon Ashton defeated South Shields 3-0 at The Tameside Stadium on a chilly Saturday afternoon, as goals from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, Jimmy Spencer and Luis Lacey saw off a respectable South Shields performance.

Adam Barton got The Nash underway, before the first big chance of the game was converted by Curzon superstar, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, in the 4th minute of the game. A dominant press from Isacc Sinclair resulted in him winning the ball off the Defender, a ball from Sinclair into the box and in to the path of the captain, Jimmy Spencer (who has recently signed a deal into 2027), led to the Skipper threading the ball across goal into the path of Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, who slotted in the first goal of the afternoon into an empty net from close range.

After Curzon had opened the scoring, South Shields began to grow into the game and enjoyed some control over the possession of the ball, when in the 12th minute, Curzon initiated a counter attack in which Will Hayhurst received the ball on the left hand side, and crossed the ball with his left foot towards the far side of the box, where Captain, Jimmy Spencer, was stood waiting and met the ball with a neat finish that trickled across the keepers far side and into the bottom left corner. Curzon were ecstatic as The Nash doubled their lead. 2-0.

Throughout the first half Curzon had a variety of chances that challenged South Shields, with some great footwork from Sinclair nearly resulting in a chance from close range in the 20th minute, and a 27th minute edge of the box Sinclair strike that looked as if it would whistle into the top right hand corner.

Whilst Curzon were the dominant side in the first half, it was not without South Shields looking competent in possession, albeit lacking the cutting edge. Some good football from South Shields ultimately resulted in nothing for The Mariners

As the second half got underway, South Shields began to dominate possession and had multiple moments where it looked as if they would get back into the game. Michael Ayufe had some bright moments on the counter for Curzon but nothing came out of his enthusiasm.

South Shields had the vast majority of the ball for a period in the second half and were placing Curzon under the cosh. The game had somewhat quietened down prior to the 79th minute when some great interplay between Buckley-Rickets and substitute, Luis Lacey, led to Lacey receiving the ball in the box as he then proceeded to cut in and slot the ball under the keeper at the near post to give Curzon a 3-0 lead in a piece of individual brilliance as the Nash sealed victory.

Curzon proceeded to defend resolutely once again, in a defensive effort that was enough to secure a phenomenal, 16th clean sheet. The Nash were efficient defensively, limiting potential South Shields opportunities, and soothing the tempo of the game, when the referee blew his whistle after 5 minutes of added time.

Curzon are once again victorious, increasing their lead to 5 points clear of second place, Kidderminster Harriers. The Nash will now take their attention to the Manchester Premier Cup quarter-final, against local rivals, Stalybridge Celtic, this upcoming Tuesday night.