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Curzon Ashton 2 Rossendale United 0

Graham Shuttleworth
21/11/2007

CURZON returned to winning ways after their first league defeat of the season in midweek by completing the double over their visitors.

However, it was referee Andrew Butler who finished up taking centre stage in proceedings, but for all the wrong reasons

Without a bad challenge in the game, Curzon ended the game with nine men as referee Mr Butler waved a second yellow card in the direction of both Dave Birch and Kevin Parr within a matter of seconds, and with just six minutes of the match remaining.

Rossendale, who had also lost in midweek, had the better of the possession in the opening period, but it was former player Mark Redshaw who joined the Blues 24 hours earlier, who almost had a dream start when he created space for himself, but his effort was well dealt with.

Curzon enjoyed an early let off when keeper David Carnell brought Tom Williams down a yard outside the area, only for him to receive a caution as the recovering Birch was back to cover his team-mate.

The home side began to exercise more control over the game with another recent acquisition, Edward Stanford, proving a problem throughout for Rossendale with his runs down both flanks.

He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when his effort from eight yards struck a defender and went over the top.

Chris Worsley failed to test Lloyd Rigby before Redshaw broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, heading Stanford’s cross past the keeper.

Despite starting the second half five minutes late, Curzon soon doubled their lead when Mike Norton was put through, only for his shirt to be pulled by a defender as he moved towards the 18-yard area.

A free kick, on the corner of the box, was driven into the area by Giggs and as the ball ran loose, Norton wasted no time in wrapping his left foot around the ball to drive it home.

The Stags’ best chance came just after the hour when Phil Eastwood drove a shot across Carnell but saw the keeper knock the ball away from goal while at full stretch.

With the game all but over, referee Mr Butler once again took centre stage as Birch, throwing the ball to a visitors player for a free kick, received his second yellow card.

Before the kick could be taken, Parr was also given a second yellow for what the referee will no doubt regard as dissent. His crime? Asking Mr Butler what he had awarded a free kick for.

Attendance: 164