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Witton Albion 2 Curzon Ashton 1

Graham Shuttleworth
9/ 1/2008

DESPITE going out of their last cup competition of the season when losing their League Challenge Cup tie, Curzon Ashton can take some satisfaction from knowing that they were at least equal to, and sometimes better, than their hosts.

Curzon made all the running in the first part of the game with Mike Norton forcing Will Smith to turn an early effort over the bar before failing to convert a far post cross 10 minutes later.

Witton’s first assault on goal came after Adam Jones conceded a free kick wide on the right, a tackle which saw the central defender injured after he fell awkwardly and was replaced by Kevin Parr.

The subsequent free kick was played into the area where Matt Woolley was off target with an overhead kick.

With the game going from end to end, Rod Thornley headed Tim Drohan’s cross over for the hosts who should have gone behind when the unmarked Norton headed wide from eight yards.

The second period began in the same fashion as the first as Curzon substitute Nick Allen tested Smith, but with Curzon looking to score the vital opening goal, a defensive error nearly cost them on 52 minutes as David Carnell’s clearance was charged down by Thornley, the keeper having to take the rebound as it went goalwards.

Witton took the lead on 68 minutes when Thornley left Dave Birch on the floor and made no mistake in beating Carnell.

He then left Curzon with a mountain to climb by curling a 20-yarder beyond Carnell’s left hand and in off the post.

Allen struck the bar from 20 yards before Curzon netted a deserved goal when Chris Curley headed home Mike Norton’s far post cross.