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Curzon Ashton Reserves faced a good organized Trafford side and for
the young players in the squad this was going to be their first test
in the Cheshire League 1st division. After a shaky first twenty
minutes Curzon settled and passed their first test with flying
colours. By the end of the 90 minutes Trafford were hanging on and
two chances from Adam Buckley & Nathan Finnigan could have finished
the game with Curzon deservedly taking all three points. As it was
Curzon had to settle just for the hard earned point but will take
out of the game a lot more than Trafford would and they will go into
their next game knowing that this 1st division will pose more tests
for them than the 2nd division but they are so much looking forward
to those tests.
After out playing Knutsford last Saturday Trafford were a different
proposition with three forwards who had height, strength, pace and
put Curzon young back four under immense pressure and because of
this Curzon could not settle down to their normal passing game but
once they weathered the storm and they got the ball down they
started to take control of the game. But again Curzon had to come
from behind after Trafford took the lead through the powerful Chris
Gudspower, on 18 minutes, receiving the ball on the edge of the box
he got the better of Daniel Toft and shot strongly past keeper
Darren Riddett. It was a well taken goal but it was to be his last
really decent effort in front of goal apart from a 30 yard shot late
into the second half which Riddett easily saved.
Curzon finished the half the stronger side & didn’t really want the
half to end but knew at half time that they needed to play the ball
on the floor and not in the air as that was where they lost most of
the battles. Curzon did create chances but failed to finish, when
they should have done better. Trafford then lost their keeper Andy
Tighe to a broken finger after going down smartly to save from a
powerful free kick by Matthew Eckersley.
There was then confusion when a player dressed in civilian clothing
who was sat on the Trafford bench was asked to get changed to take
goal which set off lots of questions. But back to the game it was
Curzon who in the last thirty minutes who were the better side &
they tried everything to get the equalizer. They got it with twelve
minutes to go when a ball worked from the left found its way to Ben
Richardson at the back post; he shot the ball back to the keeper’s
far post to see it settle inside the goal & the side netting. Had
Buckley or Finnigan finished their chances Curzon would have been
well worth of their three points & Trafford could not complain.
Trafford however played the game in the right way looking to get the
ball down & play but after four games have become the early draw
specialists. Curzon now faces Crosfields at home next Saturday who
have themselves had a Great start to the season.
Team: (Goal Scorer(s) in bold) Darren Riddett, Jordan Leach, Matt
Eckersley, Jordan Gill, Danny Toft, Stuart Ball, Ben Richardson,
Nathan Finnigan, Adam Buckley, Dane Buller (Ben Blease), Die Elstrom.
Subs not used: Karl Dean (GK), Dave Green, Ryan Burgess. |
