Curzon make it five wins from six

Curzon Ashton extended their unbeaten run to six games on Saturday (November 25) with a 1-0 win away to Banbury United.

The win means The Nash have now won five of their last six matches, with the only draw coming away to the league’s third-placed team, South Shields.

It was Curzon who created the first chance of the game on nine minutes when Jordan Richards’ cross was met by the onrushing Will Hayhurst, but the wide man couldn’t quite get enough power on his header to trouble the Banbury goalkeeper.

The hosts then created a chance of their own with Parsons slipping in Ken Charles with a perfectly weighted reverse pass, but the Banbury number 9 could not keep his effort down and fired the ball over.

Visitors Curzon then spurned a golden opportunity just before half-time when Craig Mahon’s deflected shot fell at the feet of Stefan Mols, who poked the ball wide from no more than six yards out, but the Spaniard's blushes were then spared by the linesman’s raised flag.

The away side continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, with Isaac Sinclair playing in Adam Barton down the right, whose half-volley was tipped over the bar by the Banbury goalkeeper.

Stefan Mols was then at the heart of the action once again, firing a volley goalwards from the edge of the box which flew inches wide of the post.

After having little to do for the majority of the afternoon Curzon goalkeeper Cam Mason was called into action 20 minutes from time when Obadeyi found himself one-on-one with the Nash shot-stopper, who made himself big and kept the ball out.

Obadeyi was denied yet again moments later when Mason got down well to keep out the forwards drilled effort, which was destined for the bottom left corner.

Hosts Banbury were then dealt a huge blow ten minutes from time when defender Elliot-Wheeler was shown a second yellow card for a cynical challenge on Isaac Sinclair, bringing the midfielder down to stop a Curzon counter.

The match looked like it was heading for a draw, with both sides unable to break the deadlock going into added time but substitute Hayden Campbell made sure this was not the case, driving inside from the left and curling the ball into the far right corner to steal all three points for his side.

The win lifts Craig Mahon’s side up to fourth in the National League North table ahead of their Manchester Premier Cup tie on Tuesday (December 5), when they welcome Droylsden to the Tameside Stadium.