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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Curzon Ashton (22.11.08)

MATCH REPORT

Curzon Ashton 0 Bamber Bridge 1

Northern Premier Football League 1st Division North

at Tameside Stadium

Saturday 22nd November 2008

By Joe Marchant

A dramatic goal-line clearance by Tom Ince deep into added-on time secured all three points for Brig after a gutsy performance on a chilly Tameside afternoon.

After two consecutive disappointing displays – the most recent being the 0-2 home reverse to Mossley last Tuesday, widely regarded as the worst Brig performance of the season – Brig were looking to get their promotion/play-off hopes back on track. Brig boss Phil Entwistle made two changes to the side beaten in midweek. Out went John Kennedy and Dave McCann, whilst there were recalls for Ryan-Zico Black and Mike Mason.

FA Cup giant-killers Curzon’s last league result was an impressive 1-0 win at Newcastle Blue Star, although their FA Cup exploits saw them in mid-table with a number of games in hand to play catch-up.

As the match kicked off, it was a pleasure to see Brig wearing their traditional colours of white and black away from home.

With only 39 seconds on the clock, Lee Dimelow sent a shot well wide of the Brig goal, and a minute or two later Steve Brown collected a loose ball in midfield and scuttled to the byeline for his cross to be taken off Anthony Murt’s head by Curzon keeper David Carnell. After these early skirmishes the game settled down largely into midfield play with no real opportunities for either side.

Two set-pieces almost brought goals at either end. Firstly Matthew Russell’s free-kick provided Glyn Barker with a shot on the turn from inside the Brig box only for the Curzon striker to mis-kick from close range. After Steve Flitcroft was fouled a few minutes later, Alex Porter’s 25-yard effort warmed Carnell’s gloves.

A short Brig back-pass almost proved costly but keeper Andy Banks was quickly off his line to clear from the on-rushing Dimelow.

Brig began to take a grip on the game and look fairly comfortable. On 23 minutes a Flitcroft lofted ball took a kind deflection off a defender to fall for Porter just inside the box, however the Brig striker sent his shot over the bar.

Brig went ahead on 33 minutes. A Porter free-kick resulted in two awful attempts to clear it by the home defence before Murt sent a low ball across the goal for ADAM TONG to tap in at the far post from twelve inches out.

A further chance came along a couple of minutes later. Flitcroft’s ball was chested down by Black for Murt to test Carnell. Despite the superiority, a defensive lapse let in Dimelow whose shot was parried by Banks.

Barker then snatched at a chance and shot wide, before Flitcroft’s left foot effort from the edge of the box was saved.

Moments before the break, Brown’s dangerous low ball into the box was almost turned into his own net by a Curzon defender at the near post.

When the second half got under way, a couple of Porter free-kicks were dealt with, and Banks comfortably saved Danny Verity’s header from a left wing cross.

Curzon were looking the stronger side by now, and the introduction of leading scorer Michael Norton from the bench almost brought an equaliser on the hour. He went on a run and saw his shot kept out by Banks’ legs.

Brig then had an attack which featured a couple of crosses in quick succession flying across the Curzon goal with no Brigger being able to apply the finishing touch.

Despite the Curzon pressure, Brig were still able to create a couple of chances at the other end. Murt headed a Mason cross over the bar, and in the next attack, Murt drew Carnell out of his area and took the ball round him, but from a reasonably wide position, his shot was cleared off the line at the near post and Porter’s follow-up shot was dealt with by the keeper who was safely back between the sticks by this time.

With twelve minutes remaining, a Brig defender was caught dwelling on the ball which was slipped through to Norton, who fortunately shot wide.

Carnell saved Black’s effort from the edge of the box as play swung from end to end. Phil Edghill then sent a header wide at the near post following a cross from the left.

With 86 minutes on the clock, Brown’s ferocious drive from the right whistled marginally over the Curzon bar, and just before the end of normal time Mason’s shot was straight at Carnell.

Into the fourth minute of the two added on, Alex Elliott’s free-kick was deflected towards the Brig goal where Ince made that clearance off the line.

A much-needed win for Brig, inspired by Captain Tashtastic (Glenn Steel) at the heart of the defence. A performance and result like this makes the recent blip all the more frustrating.

Curzon Ashton: David Carnell, Matthew Russell, Alex Elliott, David Birch, Adam Jones, James Ogoo (Chris Worsley 54mins), Phil Edghill, Chris Curley, Glyn Barker (Michael Norton 54mins), Danny Verity (Michael O'Connor 67mins), Lee Dimelow. Unused Subs: Jamie Byrne

Goals: -

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Jamie Nay, Michael Mason, Glenn Steel, Adam Tong, Steve Flitcroft, Stephen Brown, Ryan-Zico Black, Anthony Murt, Alex Porter (Neil Zarac 81mins), Tom Ince. Unsued Subs: John Kennedy, Krystian Liptrot

Goals: Tong (33mins)

Attendance: 137