Curzon Ashton 1
Nantwich Town 1 (5-4 on pens.)
Northern Premier League Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

UniBond League Challenge Cup.3rd Round.

Monday 3rd December.2007.


Curzon Ashton 1 v NANTWICH TOWN 1. After Extra Time.

Curzon Ashton won 5-4 on penalties.

NANTWICH TOWN: Lee Jones. Andy Taylor. Charlie O’Loughlin. Richard Smith. Gyorgy Kiss. Adam Beasley. Nick Linford. Paul Taylor. Ashley Carter. Pavol Suhaj. Tristan Hamilton-Hendrix. Substitutes: Phil Parkinson. Glyn Blackhurst. Paul Donnelly.

Nantwich were without leading scorer Danny Griggs (injury) whilst Andy Kinsey (work commitments) failed to make the trip. Meanwhile, head coach Steve Davis elected to rest several first team players, whilst in a new strike partnership added recent signing Tristan Hamilton-Hendix alongside transfer listed Pavol Suhaj .

Despite The Tameside Stadium pitch creating a great deal of bounce, play was even until the 31st minute, when Curzon winger Rhodri Giggs broke free to deliver a deep square cross in to the path of Michael Norton, who crashed the ball home from close range. Despite Nantwich trailing at the break, they were unlucky not to be level after midfielder Paul Taylor went close with a shot that fell narrowly wide of the target, whilst fellow midfielder Adam Beasley unfortunately miscued on a close range shot that could well have leveled for ‘The Dabbers’.

However, within five minutes of the second half getting underway, Nantwich were level through ‘Dabbers’ 18 year old winger Ashley Carter, who proceeded to score his 4th goal in his last 3 games. In the build up to the goal, excellent forward play by Suhaj and Hamilton-Hendix set up the former Port Vale youngster, who went on to beat the Curzon ‘keeper from close range. Moments later, Nantwich were denied a penalty claim after Nick Linford and Pavol Suhaj traded passes before playing in Carter, who was then up ended in the box by Curzon ‘keeper David Carnell. Within minutes of Carter’s goal, he was to go close again but, on this occasion goal keeper Carnell spread himself before forcing Carter to fire narrowly over the bar, again from close range. Despite Curzon, current leaders of the UniBond First Division North, shading the second half, an unfamiliar Nantwich line-up went on to give an excellent account of them selves before forcing the game into extra-time.

In the first period of extra time, Carter was again up ended in the box by goal keeper Carnell when through on goal but, the referee in his judgment again waved penalty appeals away. Curzon striker Norton was replaced by fellow striker Josh Mitten in the second period as the home side sought to break the deadlock but, it was Nantwich who always looked the most likely to score and Pavol Suhaj was to go close before lifting a shot inches over the cross bar.

Toward the end of extra time, a crude challenge by a Curzon defender on Nantwich right back Andy Taylor saw the player who incidentally, has just returned from a 35 day suspension, leaving the pitch on a stretcher as a result of a very heavy challenge, whilst Mitten followed by inflicting a crude challenge on visiting midfield substitute Glyn Blackhurst. Ashley Carter was again involved in a heavy challenge from Carnell, just as the Nantwich midfielder had broken through on goal, but managed to stay on his feet. During the ensuing penalty decider, it was level at 3-3 until Nantwich defender Richard Smith sided footed from the spot into the arms of Carnell but despite a very brave effort from an unfamiliar Nantwich side, who started the tie without five first team players, they bowed out of the competition by a narrow margin of 5-4 on penalties. Meanwhile, the injury to Nantwich right back Andy Taylor involved his left leg being placed in a splint before leaving for hospital with a suspected break.

Nantwich head coach Steve Davis was naturally disappointed with the result but, said: “It was an excellent game of football, unfortunately spoiled close to the finish by some distasteful tactics by a minority of Curzon players. However, despite fielding an unfamiliar line up, we gave a very good account of ourselves against a full strength side who are currently leaders of their division.”

Match report written by Phil Johnson