Last time out, Curzon Ashton saw off Chorley in the Emirates FA Cup to keep their run in the prestigious competition going after yet another winner from Stefan Mols, here’s how it went down…

Under 48 hours prior to kick-off, Adam Lakeland resigned from his position as manager along side Sam Walker in order to pursue professional football at King’s Lynn Town leaving the post to his club captain Craig Mahon, Mark Bradshaw and Jack Salkeld who was also offered a similar deal but chose to stay with the Nash.

The Magpies started the better in Tameside as Jack Sampson finds Carlton Ubezuonou who strikes wide with the linesman sparing his blushes by raising his flag for offside. Chorley’s dominance in the first-half continued with a drop down from a corner for Jack Hazlehurst, hitting low and central but his attempt is expertly directed away by Cam Mason’s feet for another corner.

The Nash did make entry into the final third a few times but without much damage for the visitors, Jamie Allen had one such opportunity as weaves his way past the last man but couldn’t get enough power on his shot to beat Matt Urwin. Jack Sampson was once again involved as he set up Justin Johnson from range, forcing Cam Mason into another great save to divert the bending effort wide of his left post. The Magpies would find their goal only moments later as a lofted cross is aimed towards ex-Nash defender Scott Wilson, controlling with his head, settling with his left, then unleashing a half-volley into the top-left corner, incredible goal for the centre-back, 1-0.

Half-time came and went as revitalised Nash re-entered the fray and got going immediately with Jordan Richards swinging a cross into the back post for George Waring but Jack Sampson seemingly attempts to duck from the ball, in the end looping a header over his own keeper, drawing the Nash level, 1-1. Isaac Sinclair was running the show since the break as he once again found himself in a dangerous position but his finish wasn’t enough to beat Matt Urwin.

Matt Urwin would once again be busy as another Jordan Richards cross finds an intended target as newly subbed-on Stefan Mols forces the keeper into a remarkable reaction save to keep the scoreline level. These Jordan Richards crosses would prove to be effective again as he picks up a loose ball, hooking a ball towards the 6-yard box, finding the waiting Stefan Mols who doesn’t miss this time, completing the Nash’s comeback, 2-1. The assisting wing-back looked for his own place on the scoresheet but his attempt to catch Matt Urwin off-guard at his near post was just wide.

The Pilgrims spent their FA Cup day out travelling across the country to Walsall based, Rushall Olympic, beating them by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

The hosts started the better at Dales Lane as Kelsey Mooney swung a cross into the Pics box for danger man Jimmy Knowles who only finds Jake Weaver’s gloves. It wouldn’t take long for the Pilgrims to notch themselves in front as Brad Nicholson gets on the end of a Keaton Ward corner & firing past Jake Weaver, 1-0. Kelsey Mooney would have the last chance in a fairly quiet first-half as he bends a header just wide of the Pic’s goal. Sam Mantom would have the first proper Pics chance as he sees his low driven shot caught by Cameron Gregory. However, the Pilgrims dominance would continue as Keaton Ward has a left-footed low bending effort stopped by Jake Weaver. Andre Carvalho-Landell would have a flurry of chances before the full-time whistle, even finding the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside. Carvalho-Landell once again found himself an opportunity to score as he spins & skies an effort well-over. His & the Pic’s last chance would come in the 90th minute as he latches on the end of a cross, placing a header just wide of Gregory’s net.

Nash manager Craig Mahon also shared his thoughts ahead of Saturday ‘we’ll focus on ourselves – I want them to worry about us‘.

Curzon Ashton’s LAST 5
Curzon Ashton 2-1 Chorley (J.Sampson 57’ OG, S Mols 75’)
Brackley Town 0-2 Curzon Ashton (C Mahon 4’ pen, J Spencer 27’)
Warrington Town 2-3 Curzon Ashton (I.Sinclair 4’, W Hayhurst 40’ pen, S Mols 73’)
Curzon Ashton 0-1 Chorley
Peterborough Sports 1-1 Curzon Ashton (C Mahon 72’)

Boston United’s LAST 5
Rushall Olympic 0-1 Boston United (B Nicholson 38’)
Boston United 1-0 Chester (Woods 56’ pen)
Boston United 4-0 Leamington (M Woods 14’ pen, K Mooney 18’, J Edwards 74’ OG, J Knowles 88’)
Alfreton Town 4-0 Boston United
Darlington 0-0 Boston United

Ground Information
Curzon Ashton Football Club
Tameside Stadium
Richmond Street
Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG

Match Preview by Rhys Hastings Owen