BUXTON 2, CURZON ASHTON 3
New manager Mark Bradshaw praised the resilience of his players as Curzon Ashton recorded their first win of the season in Enterprise National League North at Buxton.
It was a perfect pick me up for the Nash after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Merthyr when, by all accounts, their display was miserable.
Bradshaw, who stepped up from No 2 to replace Craig Mahon in the summer, said: “After Saturday’s disappointment, I challenged the players to show character.
“In all our history in this league, if we have had a disappointment at home, we have always shown grit and determination away from home in the next match.
“Our bounce back ability has once again shown we have character against a full-time team who are many people’s favourites to win the league.
“It is very important to get the first win of the season, especially as we were without our captain Jimmy Spencer.”
Spencer has yet to play this season after missing the first five league matches through suspension.
Bradshaw, who had drawn his first three league matches against Leamington, Telford and Chester, has had to undertake a huge rebuild after four players left in the summer left to play at a higher level, including Isaac Sinclair to EFL club Accrington Stanley.
But their display at Tarmac Silverlands shows that Bradshaw is on the right track with his new-look team which included two 17-year-olds on the bench with Ben Connolly getting into the action.
It was a terrific game of football played on a swelteringly hot afternoon with breaks needed for drinks in each half.
Curzon got off to the best possible start when Brad Holmes fired them ahead inside two minutes, just what was needed after Saturday’s loss.
The Bucks hit back as Connor Kirby’s free kick struck the bar before they drew level in the 20th minute when Curzon’s defence was ripped open as Tai Sodje drilled home a low shot.
Sodje, 21, has just been released by Manchester City where he was a professional. His in the nephew of Nigerian internationals Sam and Efe and Akpo.
Curzon regained the lead midway through the second period when substitute Charlie Weston headed home Jack Stafford’s corner from almost on the goalline.
It looked as though there may be a further twist when Curzon were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute when Stafford was sent off for a second booking – the first one was soft as he continued to score long after referee Ben Tomlinson had blown for offside.
But the 10 men quickly added a third goal when, after a short corner, Jack Stobbs delivered a perfect cross to the far post for Joe Rodwell-Grant to head home.
Within four minutes, Buxton had reduced the deficit when substitute Ryan McLean was left unmarked to head home Luke Brennan’s corner.
That set up a nervy last 11 minutes of normal time – plus seven added minutes – but Curzon’s game management was excellent as Buxton never seriously threatened to snatch a point.