Words: Ewan Murray, Image: Pete Tscherewik
CHORLEY were unfortunate in their 2-0 defeat away to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday evening.
Early on in the game there were opportunities for both teams, first in the fourth minute a run down the left by Chibuike Ezennolim for The Nash before he cut the ball back to Jimmy Spencer, his effort was saved low down by Matt Urwin.
Then, five minutes later, a cross by Adam Blakeman was met by Warren Clarke in the box, his header tipped over by Callum Hawkins; and from the resulting corner, a deep cross by Blakeman was met with a looping header from Sam Bird, which trickled just wide of the goal to prevent the Magpies from taking the lead.
However, in the 23rd minute the hosts made it 1-0, a goal kick by Hawkins somehow managed to go all the way through to Brad Holmes, who showed great composure to place his shot under Urwin and into the bottom corner.
Following the goal, there were two chances in quick succession for Chorley, first a deep cross by Blakeman was headed down by Jack Sampson to Tom Carr, his effort was so close, hitting the inside of the post and bouncing out; then Sampson again, teed it up this time for Craig Hewitt, his curling effort was saved well though by Hawkins.
Ten minutes later a cross by Hewitt was met with the head of Sampson and Hawkins pulled off the save of the night to keep the hosts ahead.
Into the second half, Chorley remained on top in the early stages, a good run by from Luke Summerfield and an eventual shot by the midfielder was just over.
Spencer thought he had Curzon's second, the ball in the back of the net for the hosts from a header, but the assistant referee’s flag was up for offside.
This would be a sign of things to come though, as in the 75th minute, Curzon doubled their lead, a deep cross from substitute Jack Stobbs was met by Ben Darby whose effort was well saved by Urwin, however the rebound fell very kindly to Spencer who could not miss and tucked his shot into an empty net.
Late on in injury time, it could have been three for the the Nash, as substitute Joe Rodwell-Grant showed some good skill in the Magpie box, before finessing his effort which was well saved by Urwin.
Andy Preece’s side will now turn their attention to Saturday’s home game against AFC Telford United.
