Nash bash Arthurians to win Bulls Cup

Curzon Ashton picked up their first silverware under Craig Mahon with an emphatic 5-0 win in the final of the Bulls Cup in Jersey.

After seeing off Wythenshawe Town 2-1 with a late winner in yesterday’s semi-final, the Nash sprinted into a 3-0 half-time lead against an Arthurian League representative side, who beat tournament hosts Jersey Bulls in yesterday’s other semi. 

They had already peppered the Arthurian goal by the time Devon Matthews headed the opener from a corner on 7 minutes.  

Jordan Richards, an ever-present last season for Curzon, doubled their lead with a deflected shot just after the half-hour mark, with Isaac Sinclair capping a dominant first half with a goal on 37 minutes. 

Although the Arthurians came out stronger after half-time, Nash player-manager Craig Mahon took any wind out of their sails with a thumped shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 4-0. 

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, who came on at half time for Jimmy Spencer, opened his account for the club to make it 5-0 with a firm header just before the hour, and soon had another chalked off for offside. 

Despite creating a succession of chances in the final 20 minutes, Curzon couldn’t add to their tally on a warm day in the Channel Islands. 

Posting on Twitter, Mahon praised his side's approach to the competition: "So proud of the lads and the club over the past couple of days. Nothing but professionalism from everyone, from the minute they landed till the final whistle."

Wythenshawe Town took third place in the tournament, beating Jersey Bulls on penalties after a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.

The Nash have another six pre-season games to prepare for their tenth successive National League North campaign, which kicks-off on August 10 when they host newly promoted Needham Market.