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At last Curzon reserves finally got to play a league
game in 2008, and it was a tough encounter against a good Woodley
side. At times during this game Woodley really tested this young
Curzon side as they piled on the pressure for good spells during the
game. But the work on the training field especially work on
defending set pieces paid off and the team especially the back four
defended superbly. It was Curzon who were first off the mark after a
spell where both sides worked hard in trying to control the game,
and good move ended with Jamie Byrne dummy a pass to allow the ball
find Dane Buller who in turn played Byrne back in for him to slot
past the keeper.
Curzon then went two up and this time it was Dane Buller who got the
last touch to steer it home, although Curzon were in command Woodley
did not give up the game and their strength got them back into the
game. Curzon felt that they deserved a foul but the referee allowed
play to go on then Steven Lawrence out muscled Craig Gorman to allow
himself a free run on goal, once into the box his slotted past the
stranded Darren Riddett in the Curzon goal. Woodley Strength was
plain to see against Curzon and twice Kwarme Barnett twice shrugged
off his marker to shoot for goal but his shooting was both times
well wide of the goal. Then five minutes before half time Woodley
drew level when Dane Buller was adjudged in bringing down the very
impressive Desmond Flanagan inside the box giving the referee Mr.
John Baldwin no choice in awarding the penalty which was duly put
away with the unlucky Darren Riddett not far away from making a
save.
This was a blow for the Curzon side who had worked hard for their
two nil lead but just before halftime Curzon were awarded a free
kick around 25 yards out. Byrne stood up to take it and waited for
the ref’s whistle, when the whistle was taken the keeper, James
McCoy was still setting up his wall from the far post which allowed
Byrne to sail the ball over the wall to the near post and put Curzon
back in front.
In the second half the crowds were expecting more goals to come from
this game but in fairness both sides were strong and defended well,
Curzon did have the best chances and on four occasions they craved
openings only for a last ditch tackle to deny them, then the post
came to the rescue after Johnny Sarcevic beat the offside trap to
lob the out coming McCoy but to everyone’s amazement it hit the post
and scrambled away before Byrne had time to convert the follow up.
Woodley then had a good twenty minute spell of pressure forcing on
two occasions three corners in concession but the Curzon side
defended brilliantly and cleared their lines. Woodley really didn’t
have a clear chance on goal for all their pressure and with the
referee adding on nearly four minutes extra time Curzon came away
with the full three points and they deserved every one. They now go
into next weekend’s game looking forward to locking horns again with
their local rivals Stalybridge Celtic, they know it will be a very
tough fixture which will seen the return of Nathan Finnigan who
transferred to Bridge from Curzon three weeks ago.
As the Chairman said in his notes for those fans not going to
Radcliffe with the 1st team then please come down to
support the reserves.
Team: (Goal Scorer(s) in bold), Darren Riddett, Ryan Burgess, Sam
Hinchcliffe (James Blair), Daniel Toft, Jordan Gill, Ben Blease (c),
Dane Buller, Craig Gorman (Xavier Riedo), Jamie Byrne (2),
Jonathan Sarcevic , Aiden Derwent (Adam Buckley).
Subs not used: Dominic Greer |
