Curzon Ashton reach first round of FA Cup

Curzon Ashton made it to the first-round proper of the FA Cup on Saturday (14 October) after defeating National League North leaders Tamworth 1-0 at the Tameside Stadium.

The fourth-qualifying round win meant The Nash made it back-to-back first-round appearances, after hosting Cambridge United at this stage of last season.

Craig Mahon’s men were out to avenge their earlier league defeat to the side from Staffordshire, when they lost by a goal to nil back in September.

Visitors Tamworth had the first real chance of the game when Matt Curley played a one-two with Ty Deacon, who played in the full-back with a wonderful backheel, but his shot was saved by the outstretched arms of Cam Mason.

Next came a chance for the home side, when Will Hayhurst found some space on the edge of the box after a well-worked short corner routine and curled his shot towards the top left corner, this was tipped over by Jas Singh in the Tamworth goal.

Singh was in action again moments later, giving the ball away on the edge of the box but atoning for his error superbly with a double save, firstly denying Jimmy Spencer down to his left, before keeping out the rebound from skipper Craig Mahon.

Curzon began to control things up until half-time and their grip on the tie was strengthened when the away side were reduced to ten men, with Luke Fairlamb receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Isaac Sinclair down the right wing.

The hosts soon capitalised on their numerical advantage, taking the lead just after the hour mark when Will Hayhurst’s corner was met by the head of Alex Kenyon, who fired the ball beyond Singh to put The Nash ahead.

A surge of pressure from the visitors made for a nervy final 20 minutes with substitute Kai Williams going close moments from the end, but he couldn’t direct his header on target, and Curzon managed to hold on to ensure their place in the FA Cup first-round.

Following the triumph, Craig Mahon’s side have been rewarded with another home tie in the first-round proper, they will take on Barnet on Saturday 4 November.

Should The Nash make it past their first-round opponents they would equal their best-ever FA Cup run after reaching the second round on two occasions, firstly in the 2008-09 season and secondly back in the 2016-17 campaign.