Match Report

CURZON RES COMPLETE THE DOUBLE OVER LOCAL RIVALS BRIDGE RES
A large crowd were at the Tameside Stadium to see Curzon Res complete the double over their rivals Stalybridge Celtic Res. Referee Mr. Geoff Wilcox passed the pitch fit to play after concern over a section was still frozen due the shade from the main stand not allowing the sun to get onto it but it was not a major concern throughout the game. Bridge came with a strong team and lined up with four centre halves and in their side was ex Curzon players, Matthew Wrigley (Goalkeeper) & midfielder Nathan Finnigan who only transferred to Bridge three weeks ago but over the ninety minutes they were not a match for Curzon side. 
Captain Ben Blease headed Curzon into the lead (20^th minute) when following a short corner, Ben Richardson advanced forward from his left back position to receive the short corner from Jordan Leach and then delivered a right footed cross into the box for Blease to head backwards over the stranded Wrigley into the net. Curzon should of gone two nil up five minutes later when from a similar corner, but this time from the right, but Ryan Burgess cross was headed over by Leach. For the rest of the half Curzon dominated the midfield area with the impressive Xavier Riedo not letting Finnigan get into the game and Blease breaking up most of Bridge’s play. But both defences were strong and restricted the chances with Bridge only recording their 1^st effort on target on the 44^th minutes following a free kick taken by Darren Evans but keeper Keith Jones comfortable held the shot.
In the second half Bridge made a changes but in search for the equaliser but still found Curzon very hard to break down while Curzon went looking for their 2^nd.  Curzon had a couple of chances to do so with the best chance falling to Dane Buller who cut in from the right and tried to place the ball past Wrigley instead of going for power allowing Wrigley at full stretch, push the ball out for a corner.  On the 70^th minute Curzon got the second again from a corner this time a direct ball in from Leach was not cleared properly by the Bridge’s defence and centre half Danny Toft pounced onto the loose ball to head home through a group of players. 
Bridge did manage to pull a goal back when on 80 minutes Danny Cox was allowed a easy cross into the box where Jon Paul Lewis was free to volley home.  With Bridge now sensing a comeback Curzon had to be firm and not panic but a chance for bridge came with five minutes to go when Richardson gave away a free kick on the right side edge of the box, but the cross was dealt with by the Curzon’s defence and the resulting clearance found Jamie Byrne who beat the offside trap and broke into the box, he went to round the keeper and stumbled but still managed to pull it back for Adam Buckley to slot home his 10^th goal of the season and Curzon’s third.  The win now takes Curzon into 5^th position 6 points clear of Bridge and with 3 games in hand over them.  They are back in action this coming Tuesday (19^th Feb) when they entertain Tafford Res at home in the JB Parker League Challenge Cup quarter final KO at 7.45    
Team: (Goal Scorer(s) in bold), Keith Jones, Ryan Burgess, Ben Richardson, Daniel Toft, Jordan Gill, Ben Blease (c) (Craig Gorman), Dane Buller (Adam Buckley), Xavier Riedo (James Blair), Jamie Byrne, Jonathan Sarcevic, Jordan Leach.

Subs not used: Darren Riddett (GK)