Curzon Ashton’s penultimate game of the season ended in defeat, but their promotion hopes are still alive going into the final game.

Curzon were defeated 2-0 by AFC Fylde on Tuesday (25 April), in their final home game of the campaign.

Visitors Fylde knew that a win would put them top of the table going into the final game, and they started the match with unbelievable intensity, scoring with just two minutes on the clock, through a terrific side-footed finish from Nick Haughton, who swept the ball into the bottom right corner for his 25th goal of the season.

Just moments later, Fylde doubled their lead, after Curzon defender Devon Matthews gave the ball away carelessly inside his own penalty area, with the ball falling to Luke Conlan on the edge of the box, who curled the ball into the top right corner with the outside of his left boot, a truly wonderful finish.

The Nash were understandably stunned, and found themselves two goals down after just five minutes, and had to respond. They almost did just that soon after, when a header from Curzon defender George Waring was cleared off the goal line, showing the importance of having a man on the post on corners. Minutes later, they came close once again, when a 25-yard freekick from Will Hayhurst flew just inches over the crossbar.

Fylde created a golden opportunity of their own on the half-hour mark, when both goal scorers combined, Nick Haughton’s clipped through ball fell to Luke Conlan inside the area, who dragged his shot wide of the far post, he ought to have done better.

Curzon’s best chance of the half came just before the break, when skipper Craig Mahon found some space on the edge of the box and unleashed a left-footed drive towards goal, forcing a save from Chris Neal in the Fylde goal.

Despite the early goals, the first half was quite even as a whole, with both teams creating chances, nevertheless, the home side found themselves two down at the break.

The second half was in no way as exciting as the first, with both sides seeming to cancel each other out for large parts. With that said, the hosts produced somewhat of an onslaught in the final ten minutes, creating multiple chances in quick succession. Firstly through substitute Josh Hancock, whose half-volley whistled just wide of the right-hand post. Moments later, Jordan Richards found himself in acres of space at the back post and was found by a pinpoint cross, but his header was a tame one, which fell straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Then came a flurry of chances in the final few minutes, the first falling to Jimmy Spencer on the edge of the box, after he was found by a wonderful cutback from Josh Hancock, but the forward was denied once again by Chris Neal in the Fylde goal. The final chance of the game fell to Fleetwood Town loanee Dylan Boyle, who deserved a goal for his fine performance, but it wasn’t to be, and his shot from the edge of the box was dealt with well by the goalkeeper.

Despite the disappointing result, the Nash can take some positives from the way they performed, and their dream of making the play-offs are still alive going into the final day, but a tough test awaits them as they travel to second-placed King’s Lynn Town on Saturday. Adam Lakeland’s men must take all three points if they are to have any chance of finishing in the play-off spots, and even then, that may not be enough as they need other results to go their way.

Lakeland was proud of his team’s performance but says a sloppy first five minutes cost his side, “I thought our performance was really good for 85 minutes, but football matches are 90 minutes plus and you can’t start a game like we did, and gift them two goals”.

When asked what the game plan for Saturday will be, Lakeland said, “I’ve got no idea yet, we need some time to think and we’ll have to see who’s fit”. “It’s going to be a difficult game, but these are the games you want, you want to be involved in these big games, we go there with a lot to play for, and we’ve just got to go and try and get a result”, he added.

Lakeland was keen to stress that even if his side don’t make the play-offs, this has still been a terrific season, “Promotion was never on anyone’s mind until we’ve given everyone that hope in recent weeks, to even be competing for the play-offs is a massive achievement with the size of the club and the resources we have”, “Whatever happens, we should all look back on this season with immense pride”.

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