MATCH REPORT: Nash 4-1 Puritans

Non-League Day Blitz on Tameside.

Photo by Oli Biddle (@biddleofnowhere)

Play-Off chasing Nash hop back into the league’s top seven after demolishing strugglers Banbury United at home.

First-Half

The hosts were not slow to start as they have been in previous home matches with player/manager Craig Mahon playing a reverse pass through the Puritans backline for Isaac Sinclair to slot underneath the onrushing Jack Harding, his seventh goal of the season, 1-0. Will Hayhurst would apply more pressure onto the Banbury United goal as he attempted to bend a free kick into the bottom left corner, potentially taking a slight deflection off Nash captain Jimmy Spencer, the effort was pushed away by Jack Harding. Curzon Ashton’s opposite wingback, Jordan Richards had his first involvement as he whipped in a cross from the right, finding Hayden Campbell at the back post to perfection, who heads past Jack Harding, his third goal of the season, tenth for the club, 2-0. It would not be all perfect for the Nash as Christie Ward played through Ben Beresford into the box, who slides the ball through the legs of Josh Ollerenshaw, game back on, 2-1. Aidan Elliot-Wheeler would look to make that fact as he picked up the ball on the edge, bending an effort wildly over the bar. However, this hope would be crushed moments before half-time as Jordan Richards whipped a corner into the six-yard area, Devon Matthews initially seeing his effort bounce off the crossbar, down for the waiting & returning Alex Kenyon who bundled the ball home from inches out, notching his fifth goal since joining the summer, 3-1.

Second-Half

The second forty-five would begin with Banbury United’s Christie Ward having a shot from range, aiming for the bottom left corner, safely held by Josh Ollerenshaw. He would have another go a few minutes after, hitting an effort once again towards the bottom left corner, with the same result as Josh Ollerenshaw collected with no fuss. An awkward moment at the back for the hosts as Jordan Richards mishits a clearance, Josh Ollerenshaw then struggling to get a proper punch on the ball, falling for goal scorer Ben Beresford, blocked by Devon Matthews on the line & cleared. The Puritans forward would be involved again as he latched onto a well-placed cross, heading an effort wide of the left post. Some brilliant play on the right allows room for Jordan Richards to place a cross for Stefan Mols in the box, finishing well past Jack Harding, reaffirming his place as the joint-top goal scorer this season for the Nash with eleven goals, sharing the place with captain Jimmy Spencer, 4-1. Ken Charles would try to make an instant impact up the other end as he roulettes away from two players but hits an unflattering effort towards the bottom right corner, caught by Josh Ollerenshaw. That dangerous duo of Stefan Mols & Jimmy Spencer linked up again outside the area, with the latter firing a volley towards goal, Jack Harding held comfortably. The former would have his first go since scoring, a free kick from just outside the area, in which he bent well over the bar.

Line-Ups, Substitutions & Officials

Curzon Ashton XI – 13. Josh Ollerenshaw (GK), 5. Devon Matthews, 6. Alex Kenyon (Rhys Hughes 81’), 7. Isaac Sinclair, 8. Hayden Campbell (Stefan Mols 64’), 9. Jimmy Spencer (Captain), 11. Will Hayhurst, 12. George Waring, 19. Jordan Richards, 21. Craig Mahon (Luke Griffiths 72’), 22. Adam Barton

Curzon Ashton Bench – 1. Cam Mason (GK), 14. Stefan Mols, 24. Rhys Hughes, 25. Luke Griffiths, 26. Marcel Lewis

Banbury United XI – 1. Jack Harding (GK), 4. Christie Ward, 5. Luca Woodhouse, 6. Tai Fleming, 7. Aidan Elliot-Wheeler, 8. Lawson D’Ath (Captain), 10. Craig Hewitt (Lewis Middleton 90’), 15. Ben Beresford (Nathaniel Opoku 81’), 18. Hamilton Bunga, 32. Emmanuel Maja, 41. Rudi Pache

Banbury United Bench – 9. Ken Charles, 11. Nathaniel Opoku, 12. Lewis Darlington, 19. Lewis Middleton, 17. Zach Scott

Offcials – Referee Name (Referee), Lino Name (AR1) & Lino Name (AR2)

Match Information

Curzon Ashton FC 4-1 Banbury United FC

Saturday 23rd Saturday 2024 – 15:00 KO (GMT)

Vanarama National League North – MatchDay 41

Tameside Stadium, Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG

Attendance – 287

Goal(s) – CUR: I.Sinclair 6’, H.Campbell 23’, A.Kenyon 45+1’, S.Mols 70’ / BAN: B.Beresford 31’

Match Report by Rhys Hastings Owen