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Stocksbridge PS. 1-2 Curzon Ashton

1/10/2008

IF ever there was a game of two halves, then this was it as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde both turned out for Curzon in their FA Cup second qualifying round tie.

With Mike Norton unavailable and Danny Whelan injured in the warm-up, Curzon had to use Phil Edghill as their main striker and bring Martin Booty into the line-up.

It was Edghill who gave Curzon the perfect start in the third minute, driving a shot across Dave Ratcliffe and into the back of the net after James Ogoo and Matthew Russell had combined on the counter-attack.

Curzon’s goal then came under attack as they managed to clear their lines, only for the ball to come straight back at them.

David Carnell held Mark Ward’s header before turning Carl Fothergill’s shot away for a corner, so it was surprise when the hosts levelled in the 18th minute.

Adam Jones let the ball run out of play, the referee’s assistant indicated a free kick but was overruled by the man in the middle who gave a goal kick.

Carnell found Booty from the restart, but his attempted clearance was blocked by Ward and the ball found Fothergill who ran through on goal to shoot past the keeper.

Carnell’s double save denied Andy Ring before Jones’ header was turned over by Ratcliffe.

The second half brought a complete reversal of fortune as Edghill’s shot deflected behind for a corner, while Ratcliffe was equal to efforts from Edghill and Chris Worsley.

It was Booty’s experience which set up Curzon’s winner just past the hour as his measured ball found Edghill who kept his composure to round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net.

Although Stocksbridge threw everything at their visitors in a bid to salvage a replay, the Tameside outfit were never in danger of losing their lead.

Attendance: 150

Graham Shuttleworth