Match report by Leon Higgins
“We lacked that killer instinct” is how manager Craig Mahon described Curzon Ashton’s frustrating loss at The Big Help Stadium to Southport.
After a quiet first 10 minutes, Curzon had the first chance with Luke Griffiths finding captain Jimmy Spencer on the outside of the area who just fired over after a neat turn.
Southport’s first chance came minutes later with a corner from the right hand side finding the head of Nathaniel Knight-Percival who’s header deflected onto the head of Dior Angus with his header easily caught by Bobby Jones.
A flurry of chances then came for Curzon over the next 15 minutes with the first coming through Isaac Sinclair who was found on the right hand side but put his shot just wide of the post. Timi Sobowale was then found inside the box from a corner, however his effort was lashed over.
Curzon’s best chance of the half came in the 36rd minute when Ben Darby had the ball out wide before his cross found Conor Falls with his attempt saved brilliantly onto the crossbar by Ex Nash Chris Renshaw in the Southport net.
It was Southport who got the opener though after several chances and shots blocked, the ball fell to Dior Angus who fired the ball into the back of the net to give the The Sandgrounders the lead at half time.
Half time: 1-0
The Nash started the second half quickly with Will Hayhurst down the left hand side he managed to pick out Jimmy Spencer on the outside of the box, but his shot was comfortably saved by Renshaw.
5 minutes later another chance came for Curzon with Alex Curran picking the ball up in midfield and driving forward into Southport’s box before passing it to Spencer on his left hand side, however Spencer was judged to be offside after his shot was deflected wide.
After making changes Curzon continued to push for the equaliser with a Will Hayhurst corner spilled by Renshaw, however Southport managed to clear their lines.
The 33 Curzon fans of the 689 in attendance had some more great build up to cheer with 12 minutes left on the clock, as Michael Afuye had the ball on the edge of the box on the right hand side but he put his shot wide.
As 5 minutes of added time passed, Curzon pressed to find the equaliser with Southport goalkeeper Chris Renshaw clenching onto everything to keep his 12th clean sheet of the season and make sure the Nash leave Merseyside without any points.
Full time: 1-0
After the loss at Southport, The Nash drop outside the play off places to 8th in the table following Kidderminster’s 2-0 win at home to King’s Lynn and return to the Tameside stadium on Saturday to host Scarborough Athletic.
