CURZON ASHTON 0, SPENNYMOOR TOWN 3
Curzon Ashton’s failed to strengthen their hold on a play-off place in Vanarama National League North following a heavy home loss to form team Spennymoor Town who are hoping to gatecrash the top seven.
After a promising opening, The Nash capitulated in the final half hour as Moors scored three times to make it six wins in their last seven league matches to become genuine contenders for a play-off spot.
Six points separated the two teams at kick off – Curzon were fifth and Moors 10th. Suddenly the gap has halved to three points and, with only four points separating the fifth and 10th placed teams, the scrap for the top seven is hotting up with Curzon, who head to second-placed Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, nervously looking over their shoulders.
Curzon had been hoping Moors would still be celebrating after Saturday’s Izuzu FA Trophy win at Rochdale which booked a place in the final at Wembley.
“There was no hangover,” explained Moors manager Graeme Lee. “The lads enjoyed themselves on Saturday night and early into Sunday, and rightly so.
“We spoke about achieving things and good teams win their next game and I could see our focus from the warm-up.
“In the second half we were outstanding. On the back of what we did on Saturday, it was unbelievable.
“We want to get into the play-offs. Not many teams will be excited at the prospect of playing us now.”
Curzon, who had won their last two matches and were unbeaten in three, shaded the opening period as Marcus Poscha headed against the bar and Stefan Mols forced a smart save from keeper Bohan Luthra.
But the match unravelled for The Nash in the final half hour.
Junior Mondal, who has played in the EFL for Forest Green Rovers, broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a neat finish from Rob Ramshaw’s low cross, his fourth goal of the season.
Striker James Spencer had a great chance to equaliser but pulled his shot wide from in front of goal, a glaring miss by his standards.
Curzon keeper Bobby Jones, who kept his 22nd clean sheet of the season on Saturday, pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a header from Corey McKeown.
With Curzon pushing for an equaliser, they were caught on the break as substitute Glen Taylor was released by Ramshaw before slotting low past Jones for his 24th of the season.
Taylor, Moors’ club record goalscorer, almost grabbed his 211th for the club with a header which flew agonisingly wide.
Another substitute, Will Harris, completed the rout with their third goal in the 88th minute as he was put clean through and lofted the ball over the advancing Jones to round off a night which promised much in the opening half but ended with a hefty loss.