Curzon's promotion dream comes to an end

Curzon Ashton’s promotion dream came to an end on Wednesday after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Chorley. 

The Nash travelled to Victory Park for their play-off eliminator tie knowing a win would take them into the semi-finals, but it wasn’t meant to be on the night and it was Chorley who made it through, setting up a clash with Brackley Town on Sunday. 

The match was a cagey affair from the start, with both sides approaching the game with caution. 

Visitors Curzon had the first real opportunity on the half-hour mark, with Isaac Sinclair cutting the ball back to Adam Barton who forced a superb save from Matt Urwin down to his left. 

With both sides seeming to cancel each other out, the next notable opportunity came 15 minutes from time when Stefan Mols’ looping header was tipped onto the post brilliantly by Unwin in the Chorley goal, though the effort would have been chalked off due to the linesman’s raised flag. 

The Nash then had a golden opportunity to win it three minutes from time when Will Hayhurst’s cross was flicked goalwards by Jimmy Spencer, with the forward’s effort trickling agonisingly wide of the right post. 

With both sides unable to break the deadlock throughout the 90 minutes, then came extra time. 

After a fairly uneventful first period, Curzon goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw was called into action early in the second, diving to his right to turn Jack Sampson’s header round the post. 

The away side were then presented with by far the best opportunity of the entire match with just three minutes to go, with Jimmy Spencer dispossessing a Chorley defender on the half-way line and slipping forward Stefan Mols in behind, but the Spaniard got his effort all wrong and skied the ball over from no more than 12 yards out, a real guilt-edged opportunity missed. 

The sides could still not be separated after 120 minutes of football, which meant penalties. 

Jack Hazelhurst was up first for the hosts, who saw his effort saved by Ollerenshaw down to his left. 

But visitors Curzon were unable to capitalise, Jordan Richards couldn’t find a way past Unwin who levelled up the scoring with a fine save down to his left. 

Chorley then scored their next two, as did Curzon which levelled the score at 2-2. 

Adam Henley then converted for the hosts before substitute Hayden Campbell saw his effort saved, which gave Chorley the chance to win it with their fifth and final kick. 

The Magpies did exactly that, with Kieran Glynn sending Ollerenshaw the wrong way to send his side through to the semis. 

A heartbreaking end to what has been a monumental season for Curzon, which will be remembered for years to come.