FA Cup Preview: Curzon Ashton v Barnet

Curzon Ashton will host National League side Barnet this Saturday (4 November) in the first round proper of the FA Cup.

The stage is set for a thriller at the Tameside Stadium, with the match getting underway at 3pm.

The Nash will be looking to go one better than they did last season when they exited the competition at the first round stage, after an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Cambridge United.

Craig Mahon’s side go into the game with a point to prove, after three straight defeats in the league, including a 1-0 loss at home to Chester at the weekend.

It has been a mixed bag for them since interim boss Mahon took over as player-manager in early October, with the Irishman winning three out of the six games he has been at the helm.

Despite the poor recent form, the togetherness at the club appears to be stronger than ever, and a clear bond has been established between players, fans, and the board who are all pulling in the same direction.

As for visitors Barnet, they made it through to the second round of the competition in the 2022/23 season before being dumped out by Accrington Stanley.

The Bees currently sit 2^nd in the National League and go into the match off the back of a 2-0 win over Oxford City at the weekend.

One man Curzon will have to be wary of is Barnet’s number 9, Nicke Kabamba, who scored a hat trick in the previous round of the competition, against Aveley, to get them to this stage.

As for the home side, they will be hoping wide man Will Hayhurst will be among the goals on Saturday, the 29-year-old has 4 goals in 11 matches so far this season and was rewarded for his terrific form with the National League Player of the Month award back in August.

Should hosts Curzon progress at the weekend, they will equal their best-ever FA Cup run, having reached the second round twice before in their history, firstly back in 2008/09 and secondly in 2016/17.