CURZON ASHTON 1, OXFORD CITY 0
It was like a flashback in time as Isaac Sinclair’s spectacular scissor kick gave Curzon Ashton victory against Oxford City.
The second-half goal, reminiscent of the wonder strikes father Trevor used to score, was worthy of winning any game.
And yet there were doubts whether Sinclair would reappear as he was unwell at the interval.
“It wasn’t bad, was it?” exclaimed Curzon player-manager Craig Mahon.
“Isaac is quality and provided that one bit of magic to win us the game.”
It has been a brilliant start to the season for The Nash who have a perfect record in Vanarama National League North.
Three wins out of three sees them second in table and behind leaders Scunthorpe on goal difference.
Curzon, who reached last season’s play-offs, continue to overachieve on modest resources – they had a crowd of just 326 against Oxford.
They are also competing in a division which includes seven former Football League club.
“It’s been a great start, but we are trying to stay under the radar,” explained Mahon who maintained the core of last season’s squad.
He has added quality and believes they are stronger than they were in 2023/24.
“We have a great cohort and players who can play in multiple positions.
“We also have players who can come off the bench and make an impact which we didn’t have before.”
Mahon is operating with a small squad of 17 senior players, though a couple of youth-team players are training with the team and developing well.
Curzon started brightly as Will Hayhurst, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and James Spencer had chances.
Oxford then had a purple patch in which they carved out four great openings, each time denied by new goalkeeper Bobby Jones who has been signed from Marine and who looks a great capture as he exudes confidence as well as being an excellent shot stopper.
The Nash came close to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half time when Buckley-Ricketts, another new boy, beat Guyana international keeper Kia McKenzie-Lyle only for St Kitts international Andre Burley to clear off the line.
You would never had guessed Sinclair was unwell at the break as, six minutes after the restart, he scored the matchwinner, a stunning scissor kick from Luke Griffiths’ right-wing cross which nestled in the bottom corner – what a way to open his account for the season.
Spencer and Buckley-Ricketts both had chances to extend the lead, each denied by McKenzie-Lyle as Curzon were an offensive threat.
They were brilliant at the back as Oxford never looked like finding a way back into the match which was an entertaining encounter.