The Nash make it three from three

Curzon Ashton have made the perfect start to their National League North campaign, taking maximum points from their first three games of the season. 

After a 3-0 win over Needham Market on the opening day, The Nash followed this up with a last gasp win away to South Shields last Saturday. 

Visitors Curzon took the lead after just 17 minutes through midfielder Luke Griffiths, before Will Jenkins’ strike drew the Mariners level in the 94th minute of time. 

It looked as though the hosts had done enough to secure a point until Curzon were awarded a controversial penalty with 97 minutes on the clock. 

Defender Marcus Poscha was adjudged to have been brought down in the penalty area and a spot kick was awarded, much to the bemusement of the South Shields players. 

Up stepped Will Hayhurst to win it for The Nash, with the ball squeezing through the grasp of the South Shields keeper and into the net. 

Curzon then built on this win on the following Tuesday, with a narrow 1-0 victory over Oxford City at the Tameside Stadium. 

After a tightly contested first half, the deadlock was broken with a moment of magic from Isaac Sinclair, whose acrobatic scissor kick found the bottom corner of the Oxford net- a goal worthy of winning any match. 

Following Tuesday’s win, Curzon Ashton manager Craig Mahon was delighted with how his side performed: 

“I’m absolutely thrilled, it’s another 90 minutes where the lads have done exactly what’s been asked of them and as a manager, I can’t ask for more. 

“We’re in a great position at the moment but there’s still a long way to go- we've got to just try and stay grounded and take it game by game.” 

The trio of wins see Curzon sit second in the National League North, level on points with Scunthorpe United but behind them on goal difference. 

Up next for Craig Mahon’s side is a tough trip to Brackley Town on Saturday.