Match Report

It was Curzon’s Reserves night in the 1^st derby of the season between the two sides but did Curzon deserve it?  It was ironic because last season Bridge manager, Colin Fielding accused Curzon of being unfair by featuring 1^st team squad players, then last night had to do the same to his side.  Hopefully he will now understand that his team is not only there to progress his young players but to help out his 1^st team manager.  In front of a good crowd Curzon produced a fantastic team display they worked hard throughout they played with passion even the four players who were appearing in their 1^st derby and for Miroslav Uryga & Xavier Riedo who are just getting used to the English game showed that they can also mix their game and compete.
Both sides who like to play football created a few openings for themselves but it was Curzon who took the lead with a fantastic headed goal by centre half Steve Sheil. Following a corner from the left, Sheil burst through the Bridge’s defence  unchallenged & powerfully headed home leaving keeper Martin Pearson stuck to his line. Curzon were now rampant and the lively front two of Elstrom Die & Adam Buckley were causing Bridge back four all sorts of problems.  Elstrom Die hit an 18 yard volley which Pearson smartly tipped over but when Ben Blease turned the Bridge’s defence Elstrom was onto the ball in a flash, he robbed Jonathan Jackson and played in his partner Buckley who coolly finished past the hapless Pearson.  Curzon then for about 10 minutes took the foot of the gas and Bridge had their best spell of the game but for all their neat passing they never really had a decent effort on the Curzon’s goal.  Curzon finished the half with a great move which saw the ball move from left to right and ending up with the Swiss Lad Xavier Riedo, he showed his skill by attacking his full-back and hitting a low powerful shot which came back out hitting the inside of the post, Buckley quickly latched onto the rebound but snatched at his shot and saw the ball drift wide.
In the second half Curzon started off the better side, Bridge made a substitution with the experienced Kevin Parr making way for the youth of Chris Middleton (ex Curzon) but this had no impact on the game and midway through the half Curzon struck again. Bridge obviously did not learn from the corner in the 1^st half because again from a corner but this time from the right, Sheil leaped well at the back post to head Curzon into a three nil lead.  Curzon were now in full control & Stalybridge ran out of the ideas, Chris Holt who after three season with Curzon was left frustrated for his new club Bridge as he never got near to having a chance to score against his old club.  Elstrom Die who had a great game finished the game off when he slotted home from 18 yards after some great work from his striking partner Buckley.  But derbies are not like normal league games because of the added passion and the bragging rights afterwards, this time Curzon deserve to have the bragging rights and fully deserve to.
Curzon now face Woodley FC at home this Saturday KO 3PM but know that this performance will mean nothing if they don’t carry it on, this Saturday.
Team: (Goal Scorer(s) in bold), Steve Szklanka, Ben Richardson, Stuart Ball, Jordan Gill, Steve Sheil (2), Ben Blease, Xavier Riedo, Nathan Finnigan, Adam Buckley (c), Die Elstrom, Miroslav Uryga (Hazen Gardner).
Subs not used:  Brian Mottershead, Darren Riddett (GK).