Match Report

CURZON UNDO ALL THEIR HARD WORK
Curzon Ashton Res found themselves twice behind in this game and after working so hard to come back twice, take the lead, hit the post twice and have a blatant penalty turned down, they again let Linotype have the share of the points by conceding a late goal for the second Saturday running. In the 1^st half both sides got the ball down and tried to play football and both sides created chances with Curzon just edging the best chances, the chances only coming when Curzon managed to turn Nomads back four and it was only in the last ten minutes of the half did Curzon put any sustained pressure onto them with the best chance falling to top goal scorer Johnny Sarcevic when he rounded the keeper only to see his shot come back out off the foot of the post.  Jamie Byrne also had a great free kick saved but with the keeper dropping it, no-one reacted quickly enough to pounced on the rebound.
In the second half Curzon started much better and took the game to Nomads and exerted good pressure on them, but then when Curzon should of taking the lead as Sarcevic again rounded the keeper for the second time and for the second time seen his effort come back off the post, Nomads went down to the other end and through Dean McGregor took the lead.  It wasn’t long before Curzon were level and they deserved to be and this time Johnny Sarcevic made sure it wasn’t going to hit the post! But the inability to keep hold of a lead was again plain to see and move down the Nomads right resulted in a cross which was meet on the volley by Wayne Hulston who steered home. 
This time it was Nomads who could not keep hold of a lead because within a minutes of the re-start Sarcevic was played in and from around 18 yards he smashed home to the far post to bring Curzon level for the second time.  Curzon were now taking charge of the game and attacking down both flanks and a cross from the right was only cleared high in the air by the Nomads back four, Byrne then cleverly stepped back toward the ‘D’ of the 18 yard box and sure enough the second clearance only went as far as Byrne who on the volley smashed it through a crowd of players into the net.
Curzon should of then gone onto win the game but when Byrne broke clear into the box he was clearly taken down inside the box but the referee waved play on, Mr. Wharton who made some poor decisions throughout the game continued to frustrate the players, especially when Ryan Burgess was cruelly hacked down nearly breaking his ankle with a massive scream & with the assistant referee flagging Mr. Wharton decided Burgess was play acting only realizing when he had to be carried off. However in the final couple of minutes action was seen at both ends, Nomads launched their final attack and with some poor and desperate defending Leon  Grandison was allowed to waltz through to draw Nomads level, then at the other end a Sarcevic cross found Dominic Greer at the far post but he could only bounce his shot into the ground and into the keepers arms. The draw was a blow for Curzon who have now wasted two of their games in hand to gain maximum points, although still unbeaten they still need to learn how to close up shop and retain a lead for the 1^st five/ten minutes after they score.
Curzon now have a break from the league when they play in the semi-final of the 1^st division cup at home to Crosfields FC, Saturday 8^th March KO at 3PM.        

Team: (Goal Scorer(s) in bold), Keith Jones, Ryan Burgess, Sam Hinchcliffe, Ben Blease (c), Jordan Gill, Xavier Riedo (Craig Gorman), Dane Buller (Darren Leach), James Blair, Jonathan Sarcevic (2), Jamie Byrne,  Aiden Derwent (Dominic Greer).
Subs not used: Darren Riddett (GK)