CURZON ASHTON 1, FARSLEY CELTIC 2
It was a day to forget for mid-table Curzon Ashton as bottom club Farsley Celtic triumphed at the Tameside Stadium to complete a National League North double.
And it was a case of the Yorkshire side putting one over on Curzon manager Adam Lakeland who left them earlier in the season.
This was the first time Lakeland had faced his old club which remains at the foot of the table but still with a chance of pulling off a great escape.
In the first eight minutes, both goalkeepers had to produce saves. Curzon captain Craig Mahon hit a low effort which Kyle Trenerry had to get down smartly to his left to push the ball away for a corner before Curzon ‘keeper Chris Renshaw produced a great save from Farsley’s Dave Syers.
Farsley took an 11th minute lead from an unlikely source following a back pass to Trenerry who was just outside his box. The ‘keeper launched a ball forward and, with the strong wind behind it, the ball took a bounce and looped over Renshaw into the Curzon net.
Farsley made it 2-0 after 33 minutes to give Curzon a mountain to climb after a cross from the right by Chris Atkinson was missed by Renshaw and found Syers at the back post who had the simple task of heading the ball home.
Farsley, who were using the wind to their advantage, looked to shoot from outside the box at every opportunity. Luke Parkin did just that after Frank Mulhern had laid a ball off to him around 25 yards out and Parkin hit a great shot only to see it come off Renshaw’s crossbar.
The nearest Curzon got to threatening Farsley goal came after 44 minutes following a free kick for a foul on Mahon. As the free kick came in, new signing Luke Mariette’s header lacked power and Trenerry collected the ball with ease.
Curzon went in at half time with a lot to do in the second half with Farsley looking good for their lead.
For the start of the second half, Lakeland made two changes bringing on attacking players Dominic Knowles and Adam Thomas for Marriette and Connor Dimiao.
Ex-Curzon player Sam Walker was the first player to have a strike at goal after 54 minutes which Renshaw pushed away for a corner and from the corner Syers saw his glancing header just go the wrong side of the post.
The next chance fell to Syers who hit a rasping shot from the edge of the Curzon box but Renshaw was equal to it with a great save, palming the ball away.
Curzon fans cheered after Tom Peers wrestled the ball off his marker with just the keeper to beat but his first touch was too heavy and the out coming Trenerry collected the ball with ease.
With nine minutes left, when it looked like the game was petering out to a finish, Curzon struck back with a great goal.
The ball played into Craig Hobson who chested the ball down to Peers who struck the ball from just inside the box which sailed past Terrerry to bring Curzon back into the game, but they were unable to draw level.
Farsley deserved victory. After two great performances on the road, Curzon put in a poor home display.
Curzon, who now have two tough away fixtures at Gateshead and Kidderminster, will be hoping they can get back on track with their play-off hopes.
Curzon Ashton: (4-4-2) Renshaw; Challoner, Flowers, Wilson, Richards; Barton, Mariette (Thomas 45), Mahon, Dimiao (Knowles 45, Hobson 69); Curran, Peers. Subs (not used): Lussey, Teale.
Goals: Peers (81) for Curzon. Trenerry (4), Syers (33) for Farsley.
Attendance: 262.
Report: Dave Jones.
Photos: Biddleofnowhere Photography