CURZON ASHTON 1, MACCLESFIELD FC 4
Tom Peers and Hayden Campbell returned to haunt former club Curzon Ashton as Macclesfield FC romped to victory at the Tameside Stadium.
The pair, who left The Nash to join the Silkmen in the summer, plundered three of the four goals to inflict pain and misery on Adam Lakeland’s side.
Peers, the former Altrincham striker, was the tormenter in chief scoring Macc’s first two goals and leading the Curzon defence a merry dance while Campbell, once of Salford City, rounded off the scoring.
Lakeland admitted his new-look side – The Nash have been hit by the departure of several key players – did not do themselves justice.
“We were poor all night and were well beaten, and they were the better side,” he said.
“A hiding will do us good going forward and teach us lessons. We were disjoined and missing one or two important players and a couple more were injured during the game which did not help.
“I am not too downbeat, though there is a lot to address after this game.”
Curzon, who were playing their fifth friendly to Macc’s third, made a great start as they took an 11th minute lead, though somewhat fortuitous.
Jordan Richards delivered a probing cross from the right which Macc right back Tre Pemberton headed past his own keeper.
Macc were level mid-half as two former Curzon players created the decisive move.
Alex Curran’s initial shot was blocked and rebounded to Tom Peers who reacted sharpest as he swivelled to fire low past goalkeeper Cameron Mason from six yards.
The same two players combined for the goal which put Macclesfield ahead seven minutes after the restart.
Curran’s delightful through ball sent Peers scurrying clear and he rounded substitute goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw before slotting home from a tight angle.
And not long after, Ollerenshaw prevented a third goal with an important block to deny Brandon Lee.
Peers was denied a hat-trick on the hour when he was flagged for offside when he converted Lee’s cross.
Macc added a third with 17 minutes left when Leon Arnasalam, who had only been on the field for three minutes, latched on to a through ball and rounded Ollerenshaw to slot home.
And it was two in two minutes when former Bolton Wanderers’ U23 player Arnasalam set up Campbell for an easy finish with the home defence in disarray.
Curzon’s misery intensified with 12 minutes left when Isaac Sinclair was sent off for a late challenge on Brandon Newall which sparked a melee involving players from both sides.
Ollerenshaw prevented a fifth goal late on with a flying save to turn Arnasalam’s free kick around the post for a corner.