By Sam Jeavons

A six goal thumping followed by some cagey cup ties, the Curzon Ashton journey to the First Round Proper had it all!

The Nash are becoming a mainstay in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup as they make their third appearance in a row! Anything can happen in the cup, and a Curzon giant killing is all that could be wished for as we build to Sunday afternoon.

Newly promoted League One highfliers Mansfield Town make the trip to The Tameside for the highly awaited cup clash. It’s the first round that The Stags will take part in as non-league begins to bout with professional teams, but it’s been an exciting run for the Curzon history makers to this prestigious round in the competition.

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The story begins way back in mid-September, Curzon entered the cup in the Second Round Qualifying, as level 9 Barnoldswick Town of the North West Counties League were the visitors. Two league levels separated the sides, making it a big occasion for the opposition. Knowing they’d be up for it on the day, zero complacency could be taken going into the game.

Curzon dominated as expected and fielded a strong starting XI, wasting no time as only three minutes were required to break the deadlock, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts heavily involved but it goes down as an own goal.

Barnoldswick Town showed signs of life, but the might of the Nash proved too much going in two to the better at half time. A strong second half with Stefan Mols getting his second and Buckley-Ricketts getting on the score sheet, including a late flurry of goals from Ben Darby and Michael Afuye sealed the victory. Full time at The Tameside, 6-0.
Into the hat, next up, a trip to Southport FC!

A big step up in opposition awaited in the Third Round Qualifying, as a trip fellow National League North side Southport was on the cards. The first meeting in the 24/25 season, it was a tightly fought affair at Haig Avenue towards the end of September. Mahon’s men got stuck into an eventful first half, with challenges flying and close chances, the referee’s card was not staying put in the pocket.

In the second half however the Nash took control, despite a close chance going the other way, it was Buckley-Ricketts who finished off a fine team move to edge Curzon ahead in the 82nd minute. Southport were never going down without a fight, but the team held their nerve to see off the Sandgrounders to the delight of the travelling faithful.
Full time in Southport, 1-0.

Into the Fourth Qualifying Round for the fourth time in a row, divisional rivals Kings Lynn Town FC were a familiar side to visit The Tameside on the 12th of October.
Everyone knew what was on the line, the next round being that special step into the competition, The Linnets therefore came to dig in and get a result, it wasn’t going to be an easy afternoon.

Curzon worked the ball well and looked to open up space, but it was Kings Lynn with the better of the chances. A defensive mishap had the goal gaping, but the chance was put wide to the relief of all watching on. Buckley-Ricketts played a huge part in this cup run, however on this day it was him making way for Michael Afuye that proved to be the difference maker, who caused all sorts of problems for the defence.

The moment came in the 88th minute as new Nashman Luis Lacey made himself the hero, dispatching at the back post to start the celebrations! Full time and into the First Round Proper, 1-0!

A competition that in recent years Curzon Ashton fans have come to love, you just can’t beat a cup run. The mood is high around The Tameside, yet despite the focus that’s been on the league given the look of the table at this moment, all attention on Sunday at 2pm is on Mansfield Town.
With both sides having enjoyed a good start to life in respective divisions, the magic of the cup is enough to distract all from the long term goals, and is an opportunity to give everything for 90 minutes.
No matter what the result is this coming weekend, the Nash have put in a characteristically strong run of games and taken the faithful on quite the journey!

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