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With a replay on the cards a goal
deep into second half stoppage time brought to an end any hopes of
progression for the local side in what was an easily forgettable
encounter.
It's easy to start to point fingers after what was a lack-lustre
performance by the visitors, but credit must be given to
Stocksbridge who, two goals down at the break, didn't let their
heads drop and came out and took the game by the scruff of the neck
to earn their passage into the next round and a trip to fellow
UniBond side Frickley Athletic.
With the wind at their backs Curzon launched the first attempt on
goal with the ball coming from the hands of keeper David Carnell and
with the first bounce being inside the Steels 18 yard area, Richard
Siddall was quickly off his line to take possession before Mike
Norton could get the ball under control.
A corner by Kieran Delaney, rolling it back to the right boot of
Richard Tait, was despatched into the area and onto the head of
Rhodri Giggs, with his effort going just over the top.
There was a let off for Steels on 17 minutes when a Giggs
in-swigging corner was met by the head of Adam Jones. With Siddall
beaten the ball was headed off the line by defender Rhys Powell.
Andy Ring went close on the half-hour when he met a cross from Jamie
Vardy and with the wind holding the ball up, Carnell had to be alert
to ensure that the ball did go over the top and not drop under the
crossbar and land on the back netting.
Curzon took the lead on 37 minutes as Delaney and Tait combined on
the right with the latters cross being met by the head of Norton at
the far post to power the ball beyond Siddall for his first goal of
the season.
Six minutes later and the lead was doubled when a diagonal ball into
the penalty area from Chris Curley was met by the incoming Delaney
who on the stretch steered the ball beyond the stranded Siddall and
it should have been three when Norton, with just Siddall to beat,
could do no better than strike the legs of the keeper.
The second period got off to the worse possible start for the
visitors as the Steels scored their first after just two minutes.
A ball in from the right was met by the head of Vardy and directed
across Carnell to nestle in the far corner of the net.
There was a let off for Curzon on the hour mark when a header from
Mark Ward struck the knee of Paul Riley only yards off the goal line
to go out for a corner but it only sought to delay the timing of the
equaliser as the corner was driven in from the right, with the ball
being cleared by Dave Birch but back to the feet of Ian Richards.
His driven cross inside the 6 yard area was met by the grateful
right foot of Ring to level the score.
Two minutes later and Norton had the opportunity to restore his
sides lead but once more the legs of Siddall prevented him scoring
once again, and Chris Worsley, following up, saw his effort
deflected for a corner.
Riley put his team into trouble when he was caught in possession on
the halfway line but substitute John Beggs was unable to capitalise
on the error and the danger was eventually cleared.
Curzon were only inches away from restoring their lead after Ryan
Moore played a ball back to Worsley and although his shot had the
beating of Siddall it clipped the top of the crossbar on its way out
of play.
Much to the annoyance of the home support the Steels had what looked
a genuine penalty claim waved away by referee Mr Knee as Jones
appeared to haul Ring down inside the penalty area with just minutes
to go in the 90, but with three minutes of stoppage time played,
substitute Ben Walker made Curzon pay for some more indifferent
defensive play when he drove home to ensure a safe passage into the
next round.
On Saturday Curzon return to League action when they entertain
Wakefield (KO 3pm).
The Yorkshire side lie fourth in the table, just one point behind
the second placed Blues. |
