Curzon Ashton 2 - Garforth Town 1

23.2.2008

Garforth were unfortunate to return home from Greater Manchester without claiming valuable points for their promotion push, after succumbing to Curzon Ashton by two goals to one at the impressive Tameside stadium in Ashton under-Lyne. The visiting Yorkshiremen performed to the same standard as in previous games, but were ultimately unable to convert the crucial opportunities and were kept out by the Lancashire outfit, who themselves are aiming to achieve Unibond Premier status.

The tie took on an early physical edge, as Duncan Williams incurred a slight head injury whilst contesting a high ball, and promptly avenged the transgression by crudely slide tackling the miscreant from behind. Play continued in this non-progressive manner for a few minutes, though without any real spite, until Chris Kamara burst forwards from midfield and fired at goal. The shot flew over, yet served to herald the beginning of attacking play that would transcend the game, a contest of football sides who believe they belong in higher tiers.

Curzon began to demonstrate some impressive footballing prowess, and were more than willing to produce incisive attacks rather than resort to tiresome long ball tactics. A neat turn in midfield saw a Curzon player release his winger into space, and after the initial cross was blocked, the second attempt evaded all Garforth players but was fortunately hoofed over by the Curzon attacker from point blank range. This embarrassing miss was followed by Rhodri Giggs, brother of Manchester United legend Ryan, unleashing a fierce low shot to the near post from the right, which Karl Spratt alertly managed to push wide. The attacks served to enliven Garforth, who responded with a ball down the right flank from returning captain Brett Renshaw to Luis de Melo, whose cross-field ball found Chris Kamara in space. Town’s own relative and namesake to an illustrious footballer, nephew of former Leeds man Chris, returned the ball back across the penalty box but goalkeeper David Carnell smothered the ball at de Melo’s feet.

A period of long ball play followed, with Renshaw earning the ire of two Curzon attackers with the tackles contested, when the first goal of the game came suddenly in the 37th minute of play. George Williams cleared the ball from the right, which fell to a Curzon winger who exchanged passes with a team-mate before crossing to top scorer Mickey Norton. The strikers glanced header deflected heavily from the covering Casa Simpkins, who nearly did enough to prevent the goal, but the redirected ball found its way past Spratt, cueing the hilarious usage of ‘Hey Mickey’ over the PR system.

Almost immediately after the restart, an ostentatious dive from an Ashton attacker earned the Mancunians a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Justly, Giggs Jr curled over from twenty yards.

With five minutes left to play of the first, a Garforth goal kick saw Chris Brown injured as a result of a Curzon midfielder jumping into him. The sparked some hostilities being exchanged between Curzon manager Gary Lowe and Town goalkeeper Karl Spratt, joint-manager Vernol Blair, and a fan in the stands. A minute later, Curzon attacker Jorge Diez fortuitously passed George Williams before rounding Spratt and firing past Patrice Liburd, whose attempted header only forced the ball into the roof of the net. This undeserved two goal lead was celebrated with the overplayed introduction of James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’.

Town began the second half much the stronger side, and an early one touch passing exchange teed up the surprised de Melo, whose snapshot flashed wide. Town pressured, but were countered with extremely cynical tactics from Curzon, who on several occasions clipped the heels of Garforth players in full flight. After four such incidents in a mere eleven minutes of second half play, Town were awarded a free kick on the far right twenty five yards from goal, which Greg Kelly coolly converted in a carbon copy of his ‘Rivaldo-esque’ set piece from the previous match. Despite the noticeable silence, Town Felt Good.

Curzon replied with attacks of their own, but Nathan Kamara and Milton Turner were on fine form and prevented all progress. Giggs Jr vented his frustrations at Vernol Blair with some perplexing expletives, which were laughed off by the experienced Town man. The referee was also frustrated with the pleas of the Town fans for fair officiating, and responded with several gestures to the travelling support.

A quick throw in found Chris Kamara in acres of space, but the most glorious opportunity of the game for the visitors to regain parity was squandered when the midfielder ignored the cries of the advanced Renshaw and de Melo, and his shot was saved. Curzon almost added insult to injury when Giggs Jr was released into a one on one situation, but his lifted shot over Spratt sailed well wide.

With ten minutes of play left to go, Kamara won possession and ran through midfield, exchanged a one-two pass with Duncan before his shot was saved by Carnell. Curzon had a drop ball soon after, due to an injury, but unsportingly tried to score from the resumption of play. Garforth were now employing dangerous tactics in the hope of snatching the merited equalizer, with more men advanced than defending, and almost paid the price when a bobbling Curzon shot was met by the slightest of touches from Spratt, which sent the ball onto the post and away. Town wasted a glorious opportunity to score with only minutes left when a passing movement led to Duncan granted a clear shot at goal from fifteen yards, a hurried effort with the toe that flew straight into Carnell’s arms. In stoppage time, a Greg Kelly piledriver from distance was spilled by the goalkeeper, but there was no Town striker to convert the rebound. Ultimately, it wasn’t to be, but for the inability to convert their chances in front of goal Garforth performed to the standard they have now set in their last four games, and should look to display ‘bouncebackability’ to recover with a fine win on Tuesday at the Genix Healthcare stadium.