Curzon retain top spot with home win

Curzon Ashton extended their lead at the top of the National League North on Saturday after a commanding 3-0 win at home to South Shields. 

Hosts Curzon got off to a dream start in the match with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts tapping in from close range to put the Nash ahead after just three minutes. 

This lead was doubled less than ten minutes later when Jimmy Spencer turned in a cross from Will Hayhurst at the back post- the perfect way to celebrate the forwards new deal, which keeps him at the club until 2027. 

It could have been three soon after when Hayhurst was involved once again, clipping in a cross towards Adam Barton, whose glancing header flew just wide of the left post. 

Visitors South Shields were denied a route back into the game early in the second half by a last-ditch block from Nash defender Devon Matthews, who flew in at the nick of time to deny Paul Blackett from close range. 

Youngster Luis Lacey then put the game beyond any doubt 12 minutes from time, cutting inside his man down the right and drilling the ball into the bottom right corner to seal the win for his side. 

“That was very pleasing,” Curzon Ashton assistant manager Jack Salkeld told the club’s YouTube channel following the win. 

“It was a great team performance,” he continued. 

“We controlled the game, and they didn’t really hurt us, I’m delighted for the lads.”