Curzon Ashton coach Jack Salkeld believes the club is in good hands under current manager Adam Lakeland and is optimistic about the club's growth, on and off the pitch.
In what marks their eighth consecutive season in the National League North - making them the highest ranked side in Tameside - the Nash have so far won two and lost two of their opening four games.
It was a rocky start for Lakeland’s side, with defeats in the opening two fixtures to recently promoted Banbury United and Buxton.
However, the squad managed to reverse their fortunes with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Kidderminster Harriers on a Tuesday night, before backing it up with a 1-0 win over Kettering Town at the Tameside Stadium on Saturday.
Six points in the space of four days is always welcome at this stage of the season - especially with a Bank Holiday double header against Farsley Celtic and Chester.
Jack, who has a longstanding association with the club, which sees him take charge of a junior side as well, believes the squad has the right balance to deliver success this season. Speaking to Reporter Sport, he said: “It’s been a tough opening to be honest. Banbury took us by surprise as we didn’t know too much about them and they were very good, so credit to them, and there’s was nothing really in the game against Buxton. We lost 1-0, we did score but the linesman didn’t give it, so we’re still learning about our new players and the management team, and I think it will come together, sooner rather than later.”
“At the start of the season everyone writes Curzon off, but we’ve grown and grown each year. I think with the team we have and the players we’ve signed there’s no reason why we can’t push for the playoffs and finish as high as we can.”
On Lakeland’s brand of football and the importance of his familiarity with the club, Jack said: “I’ve known Adam for a long time and he knows what the club is about and how its run by Harry Twamley, Jimmy Newall and Wayne Salkeld.
“He’s got to have time to put his plans in place, and I’m sure he’ll be successful”.
In related news, Devon Matthews’ performance in Curzon’s victory over Kettering Town has earnt him a place in the National League North Team of the Week.
The Nash defender helped the club to a 1-0 victory over Kettering at the Tameside Stadium, and in the process made it back-to-back victories in the space of four days for Adam Lakeland’s side.
Matthews joined Curzon in the summer of 2022 from Mossley AFC, after securing the Players’ Player of the Year award.
The tall and commanding centre back has so far enjoyed his short spell with the Nash, who are in their eighth consecutive season at this level of football.
Curzon return to action this weekend with a trip to Farsley Celtic - the home of current manager Adam Lakeland, who left Farsley in November 2021 to return to Curzon for a second spell in the dugout, this time as first team manager.
Pictures by Oli Biddle @Biddleofnowhere
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