Mahon Gets Off to Perfect Start Against Magpies

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.

Manager Craig Mahon shared his thoughts on the performance ‘we deserved it’ and ‘it’s a great feeling’. He also touched on his new role following Thursday’s events ‘proudest person in the stadium today’, he called for the ‘transparency between staff, between players, between the club’.

Stefan Mols commented on his key performance ‘always nice to get the winning goal’.

MATCH INFORMATION
Curzon Ashton 2-1 Chorley
Emirates FA Cup – Fourth Round Qualifying
Saturday 30th September 2023 – 15:00
Attendance – 275

Referee – Thomas Wilson
Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG
Next Fixture – Boston United (H) (07 October 2023)

Match Report by Rhys Hastings Owen

eside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG
Next Fixture – Boston United (H) (07/10)
Match Report by Rhys Hastings Owen