CURZON ASHTON 3, CHORLEY FC 0
Curzon Ashton produced a statement win against Vanarama National League North promotion rivals Chorley FC to move back into the play-off spots.
It also completed a league double for The Nash, who climbed from eighth to fifth and leapfrogged Chorley in the table, as they also triumphed 3-0 at Victory Park back in November.
And if Curzon win their games in hand of the four teams above them, don’t write off their title hopes.
Alex Curran fired The Nash ahead early in the game with his first goal since returning to the club for a second spell from Macclesfield FC while two late strikes from James Spencer sealed victory.
And with 11 matches remaining, player-manager Craig Mahon is urging his players to savour every moment of the ride.
“We have something to play for in the last 11 games which is a positive and we are fortunate to be able to look upwards unlike many other teams,” said Mahon.
“It’s a position we will gladly take and let’s enjoy it. We want to win but, if we lose, don’t get too down.”
After a faltering February, when Curzon won only one of their six league matches, they have hit their stride in March.
Mahon continued: “We have long due a performance and result like that.
“In February we played some good stuff but lacked luck and may be a touch of quality in front of goal.
“But even in our bad run, we were still picking up points and not losing every game.”
Mahon pointed to the home win against Scarborough, which started the current winning run, as a turning point in their fortunes.
“We scored two lucky goals in that match, and it felt our luck was changing,” he explained.
Curzon, who have the best away win in the division, have struggled at home losing six times and Mahon is hoping to make the Tameside Stadium a fortress.
“We don’t do anything different playing away – it is just giving the lads belief in their own quality and make sure we maintain high standards,” he continued.
Mahon was delighted with the quality of his side’s goals against Chorley saying they would look out of place on Match of the Day.
Curran gave Curzon a 17th minute lead as he was put clear by Spencer’s pass before slotting low past keeper Matt Urwin.
Curzon lived dangerously as Mark Ellis and Kole Hall both struck the frame of the Curzon goal in the opening period in which Curran was also put clear again only for Urwin to block well.
Chorley huffed and puffed in the second half as Curzon were not unduly troubled.
Curzon were denied a second after 80 minutes when Isaac Buckley-Rickets was clean through and rounded Urwin before former Blackburn Rovers first-teamer Adam Henley saved the day with a goal saving block.
They put the match to bed in the 86th minute when they doubled their advantage. Ben Darby launched a long forward pass for Spencer to race on to and lob Urwin.
Then to put the cherry on the performance, Spencer struck again in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time when Will Hayhurst cut the ball back from the byline and the skipper fired into the top corner for his 12th goal of the season.