CURZON ASHTON 2, MACCLESFIELD FC 2
(Macclesfield FC won 5-3 on penalties)
Alex Curran proved there is no sentiment in football as he played a starring role as Macclesfield FC knocked former club Curzon Ashton out of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Attacking midfielder Curran bagged two goals – the first of an injury-plagued season – as the Silkmen came from behind to book their place in the third round.
And it was a case of lightning striking twice as Curran was also on target last season when Macc won at the Tameside Stadium in the same competition.
Curran’s brace was cancelled out by Curzon goals from Marcus Poscha and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts as this pulsating cup tie went to penalties after 90 minutes.
Macc won 5-3 as they netted all five spot kicks while Curzon’s Jordan Richards blazed over the crossbar.
And Macc manager Robbie Savage came up with a question for those interested in football trivia.
“I wonder if it’s ever been done in a 90-minute game which goes straight to penalties. The five subs who come on, all score the five penalties?,” he asked.
Macc, last season’s Trophy semi-finalists, knocked out opponents one division higher in the football pyramid.
But Savage denied it was a upset, declaring: “We are favourites in every game we play against National League or National League North sides.
“This group pushes each other with togetherness, spirit and desire. It is emotional. I care for those lads and treat them like my own lad was playing.
“I am an honest guy, and they respect that.”
Savage added he continues to be surprised when players reject the chance to play for the Silkmen.
He continued: “It is the thing which fuels my fire when players do not want to drop down to join Macc.
“In the summer, I was going for players who did not want to step down to join one of the biggest clubs in non-league who play in front of over 3,000 fans each home game.”
Curzon made the brighter start and took a fourth minute lead when Macc failed miserably to clear a corner and centre back Marcus Poscha, back from suspension, fired home his first goal of the campaign.
The Nash were the better side and could have established a bigger advantage before Macc’s fightback began mid-half.
Curran equalised after 25 minutes, firing home a low free kick from the edge of the box, perfectly placed through the eye of a needle to beat the defensive wall.
Ten minutes later, Curran struck again with a well-placed low shot after Justin Johnson did the spadework on the left with his trickery and a perfect cut back.
The goals proved the managerial acumen of Savage who rejected moves from clubs to take Curran on loan.
“Alex has had a tough season with injuries, but keeps smiling, and I am his biggest fan,” said Savage.
“Why should I let one of our best players go out on loan?”
Curzon took the game to Macc as the visitors were forced to defend resolutely in the second half.
They almost equalised in the 74th minute when the impressive Buckley-Ricketts, a summer signing from Warrington Town, danced in from the right and saw a drive strike the inside of the far upright before bouncing to safety.
It was fitting that Buckley-Ricketts, named Curzon’s player of the match shortly before, should conjure the equaliser at the death – 45 seconds before the end of the six minutes of added time, cutting inside from the right before firing low into the far corner.
And so to penalties after 90 minutes. Macc’s five substitutes – Paul Dawson, Danny Elliott, Edy Maieco, Luke Duffy and John Rooney in that order – all found the net with Curzon’s Richards having the decisive miss.
It was disappointing for Curzon player-manager Craig Mahon who took positives from the loss.
He said: “It is never nice losing, but I was happy and proud of the character we showed to get back into the game rather than the result. I was proud of that side of us.
“At half-time I asked for a response and got that. Isaac was unlucky with the shot that hit the inside of the post, but he kept going and got his reward.
“As a spectacle, it was a great advertisement for non-league football with both sides showing quality, and for a neutral it must have been a great watch.”