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Harrogate Railway 2 - 4 Curzon Ashton

2/ 4/2008

A POWERFUL display, in possibly the worst weather conditions of the season, ensured that maximum points returned across the Pennines to keep Curzon’s dream of automatic promotion very much alive.

However, they had to come from behind as Harrogate took a 10th minute lead with their first attempt on goal, Ben Jones heading Chris Rosindale’s free kick beyond the reach of David Carnell.

Curzon should have levelled seven minutes later when Mike Norton collected Carnell’s wind-assisted free kick, only to shoot wide with Tom Morgan coming off his line.

Rosindale fired off target before Curzon got the break their performance deserved in the first minute of added time when Jorge Gazapo drove home after Chris Worsley’s cross had struck Carl Fox.

The home side almost got back into the lead six minutes into the second period when Alex Mortimer deflected Richard Marshall’s effort behind for a corner.

Despite kicking into the wind, and with conditions deteriorating by the minute, it was Curzon who continued to make the most of the forward play.

They got their noses in front with the hour approaching when James Ogoo rose just inside the penalty area to head Mortimer’s free kick over the outstretched arms of Morgan and into the net.

Substitute Jamie Byrne almost made an instant impact for Curzon, lifting the ball to Norton whose header went just the wrong side of the upright.

The home side received a let-off when the ball was scrambled away after Morgan had failed to hold Mortimer’s effort, but despite Curzon’s dominance, it was the home side who drew level with a quality goal.

Having gained possession, Marshall took one pace before curling a right-footed shot into the top left-hand corner, leaving Carnell with no alternative but to collect the ball from the back of the net.

The home side’s joy lasted only minutes though when a Curzon corner created problems for the defence, Mortimer driving the ball low into the net.

Three points came Curzon’s way when Byrne cut in from the right to drive the ball across Morgan, leaving the keeper stuck to his line with the ball in the back of the net.

Attendance: 90