Match Report

Just how important the three points from this game will only truly be measured at the end of the season, but one thing is certain, Curzon Ashton thoroughly deserved their win as they went back to the top of the table by three points as league leaders Skelmersdale United faltered too.
It was Bradford who, like others before them, had the best of the opening five minutes, but it was the home side who had the first bite at goal as a long ball from keeper David Carnell was headed on by Mike Norton. James Ogoo was the beneficiary of the knock-on but his show went straight into the hands of Jon Worsnop.
Bradford then had a chance as they knocked the ball about with the eventual cross being met by the head of Chris Gahgan which was comfortably taken by Carnell.
A Bradford break just after the half-hour mark created problems for Curzon as Carnell came out to clear, while Eddie Stanford, tracking back with the runner, got his foot to the ball, forcing Carnell to get down quickly to his left to collect.
Worsnop was in action on 34 minutes after a Curzon free kick was played to Alex Mortimer. His cross into the box drifted towards goal, leaving the visiting keeper to back-pedal to tip the ball over the top and then another ball whipped in by Stanford in the same minute went perilously close to goal with Worsnop beaten.
Chris Curley conceded a free kick wide on the left on 38 minutes and the ball in had Carnell coming through a ruck of players to get a got fist on the ball to clear his lines and take the pressure off his team mates.
Two minutes later and Curzon went ahead, and this time it was Curley who was sinned against some 20 yards from goal and to the right hand side of the area. Stanford placed the ball and drove it round the wall leaving Worsnop well beaten at his right hand post and putting the home side into the lead.
Three minutes later and it should have been two after Andy Watson broke out of defence and making 30 yards before playing the ball out wide to Stanford. Continuing his run he got his head to the cross with the ball going to Chris Worsley on the edge of the 6 yard area. His attempts to turn and shoot failed, the ball went to Norton, but he too couldn't get the ball from under his feet and the chance went begging.
If the first half was fairly even, the second period could have seen Curzon improve their goal difference substantially, leaving their title contender opponents embarrassed by the final score line.
Norton was the first to show his intent, as he brought the ball down on his chest and drove the ball left footed into the body of Worsnop and on the hour mark it was Norton against Worsnop again, with the Curzon forward coming off the victor.
With Bradford attacking, a ball in by substitute Gareth Morris was played to Ogoo on the halfway line. His run at goal took him into the penalty area, and with defenders and the keeper closing him down, his first effort was blocked, and as he regained his footing, he was dragged back to the ground leaving referee David Unsworth with the easy decision to award a penalty, which Norton drove into the net with Worsnop stuck on his line.
The deficit cold have been back to the one goal inside the minute after Chris Ball lost possession to Mark Betts midway inside the Curzon half but the player wasted the opportunity as he hit the ball wide of the target.
With Bradford looking to at least get a point from the game it became an end-to-end affair with the better of the chances coming to the home side, as a shot from Ball took a deflection off a defender, and Norton, following up, watched his shot go over the top, and the a cross by Mortimer was met by Norton at the far post. His shot from the angle was knocked back to him by Worsnop but the follow up was well taken by the visiting keeper.
A corner by Morris was headed straight back to the player by David Birch. His second attempt to get the ball had the Curzon defence in difficulties before it was quickly cleared forward with Norton once again facing Worsnop who had to take the shot at the second attempt.
71 minutes and there was another let off for the visitors as Norton chested the ball to Stanford before making his way into the box. With his shot on target the ball struck Tom Baker and out for a corner.
The climax to the game had Curzon peppering the visitors goal as Stanford went through but he knocked the ball too far ahead, Norton tested Worsnop again, substitute Jorge Gazapo cut in from the left and his shot went just wide of goal and shortly after he headed the ball down from a diving header but it bounced over the top.
This game was billed as a six-pointer. Come 26 April it could be worth more than that.