MATCH PREVIEW: Moors vs Nash

Coming Up…….

Spennymoor Town FC v Curzon Ashton FC

Tuesday 7th November 2023 – 19.45pm at The Brewery Field, Wood Vue, Spennymoor DL16 6JN

Photo by Oli Biddle (@biddleofnowhere)

Spennymoor Town come into this game in 4th place in Vanarama National League North on 27 points, Curzon Ashton are 16th on 19 points. 

Only on Saturday this last weekend the visitors Curzon Ashton were knocked out of England’s premier cup competition, the Emirates FA Cup, in the first-round proper to Vanarama National League high-flyers Barnet. The game ending in a tight 1-0 scoreline with in-form Nicke Kabamba notching the Bees winner in the first half. However, the game would not be without controversy as Jimmy Spencer nodded in a cross from the right but was denied by the linesmen. On closer review of the game footage after proceedings this showed the ex-Notts County man to be onside. This result came on the back of a poor run of form for the side from Tameside, after 3 successive defeats, beginning with a 3-1 loss at Hereford, then coming to both Scarborough Athletic & Chester respectively, seeing two 1-0 conquests of Tameside. This did not paint the whole story though as Craig Mahon (Player/Manager) said after the Barnet game that ‘ he believed the lads proved themselves enough’ but ‘couldn’t be destructive enough in the final third’ with the Irishman’s team only managing one goal across the 4-game run.

On the other hand, the hosts Spennymoor Town go into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw with Boston United & a 2-1 victory over struggling Darlington at Blackwell Meadows. The two goals courtesy of ex-Darlo midfielder Danny Greenfield & Moors stalwart Mark Anderson, the first coming after Danny Greenfield receives a pass just outside the area from Callum Ross, striking an effort which squirmed under David Robson in the Darlo goal. The second came after a great ball down the line for Rob Ramshaw is crossed in for the charging Mark Anderson, who fires a devastating strike into the right corner, David Robson left with no chance.

There’s been history between these two sides in the Vanarama National League North, beginning back in 2017 as Curzon ran away 4-2 winners at the Brewery Field, largely in thanks to club legend Niall Cummins notching a hattrick, including from the penalty spot, which was given at the expense of Spennymoor’s Chris Mason, who saw red attempting to prevent Cummins going through on goal. Two players who still wear the colours of Spennymoor Town scored that day, Mark Anderson & Glen Taylor, only a year or two later, the latter would score one of the biggest goals in Stockport County’s history despite never playing for them as he scored a 90th minute winner at home to title chasers Chorley, sealing the league for the now League Two side.

On the positions in the league and recent form, this should be a home win for the Moors, however Nash will not go down without a fight. Should be an entertaining game.

Match Preview by Rhys Owen / 6th November 2023