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After a ten year absence from the
UniBond League Curzon Ashton got their season off to the right start
with a two goal win against their Yorkshire rivals.
It was very nearly an ideal start for the visitors when a clearance
by the home keeper, David Carnell, was played back down the Albion
left. With the backline caught flat footed, Carnell came out of his
area to challenge Shane Kelsey, who, although going past the keeper
was forced to take a shot on the angle as defenders got back to
v-cover their keeper, driving the ball into the side netting.
Rhodri Giggs proved a problem on more than one occasion for Albion
and in the 10th minutes a driven cross inside the 6 yard area could
only be helped away from goal, but maintaining the pressure, the
ball was knocked back inside to Chris Worsley who rolled the ball
into the path of captain Dave Birch, and with a well driven low shot
the ball went beyond the reach of the right hand of Clarke.
It looked as though Mike Norton was going to get his name on the
score sheet on 25 minutes when a long clearance by Carnell went in
between the central defensive pairing of Dominic Riordan and Stephen
West leaving last season's leading goalscorer through on goal. With
Clarke coming quickly off his line, Norton, unselfishly, played a
square pass in expectation of strike partner Ryan Moore, being
alongside, but it was the visiting keeper who was able to easily
collect the intended pass.
Referee Mr Hughes, after an inconspicuous first half, must have
awaken on the hour mark to the fact that he had yellow cards in his
pocket, brandishing three in the space of 60 seconds, and all
directed towards the home team, the third of which brought the
visitors a free kick on the very edge of the 18 yard area.
Shane Kelsey took control of the dead ball situation, but his
on-target shot was matched by the diving Carnell, who did enough to
turn the ball away from goal.
The score line was doubled on 62 minutes, and once more it was Giggs
who was the provider.
Breaking down the left came inside before putting his right foot to
the ball and onto the head of Chris Worsley at the far post to head
home past Clarke.
There was one all mighty scramble in the Albion 6 yard box two
minutes later, as Norton, Kieran Delaney and Josh Mitten battled to
knock a loose ball into the net, but various Albion bodies stood in
their way before Clarke eventually took control, snatching the ball
from the toes of Delaney.
Dickenson almost capitalised on a mistake by Jones on 72 minutes
when a poor headed pass to Carnell could only be knocked against the
incoming forward by the keeper, but the ball went out of play. |
