Despite finding themselves on the receiving end of a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Gateshead, fans remained optimistic with Curzon Ashton in the Vanarama National League North.
The Nash were in concerning form, with no points in their previous four games and no goals in their last three, leaving Steve Cunningham’s side in a stale 15th position.
A goal early in the second half from Jordan Cook was enough to split the two sides, but Curzon could easily has grasped three points had Connor Hughes, Darren Stephenson or Paul Turnbull been able to squeeze the ball past James Montgomery in the Heed goal, but the shot stopper was in tremendous form.
Here are three key quotes from Curzon Ashton sports analyst James Beeton, who spoke post-match exclusively to VAVEL:
On his side’s performance
“Immediate thoughts are obviously disappointment at losing the game. I thought the lads were excellent, and carried out our plan and formation superbly well. We have been working hard in training on our shape and we are seeing the benefits, just not quite getting the results at the minute.
“But if we carry on putting in the performances we are, then the results will come. Gateshead had a good ten minute period at the start of the second half, but apart from that we looked comfortable. We’ve had five or six very good chances, but we all can’t believe we haven’t got at least a point. But that’s football. We go again Saturday at Kettering.”
Curzon looked confident throughout the game and were unlucky to not at least clinch a point, a quiet spell from the Nash was simply the punishment in the end. The attacking play also needed to be more clinical in front of goal, with Stephenson’s effort in the 47th minute being the talking factor as he missed a golden opportunity and Dominic Knowles being unusually quiet.
Gateshead’s threats
“Myself, Cunny [Cunningham], Damo [Damien Crossley], Jack [Salkeld], and Neil [Gillespie] had all watched and done our homework on Gateshead leading up to the game. We was aware of the quality they had in Olley, Langstaff etc but we always focus on ourselves and to get our dressing room right.
“They are a good side, good at what they do and will be up there come the end of the season.”
Gateshead currently sit in 11th position after five games, with fans hopeful of a play-off push by the end of the campaign. Greg Olley had a dominating performance in the centre of midfield, surging forward with the ball and controlling the attacking third for the home side, he looked like he could be a crucial player for Mike Williamson this season.
Positives from the game
“The positives was our performance. We were really good again. Looked solid in our formation and looked a threat when we got into the final third, just lacked that bit of quality but that will come. We’ve got a great group of players here and a great set of lads, we will do our homework on Kettering, recover, and go again.
“It was a hard one to take is an absolute understatement. But the lads were excellent tonight, if we keep on putting in these good performances the results will come, one hundred percent. We go again Saturday.”
The Nash are at home to Kettering Town on Saturday, where Beeton and Cunningham alike will remain confident, despite hitting a slight form rut, that they can take three points from the Poppies who could prove a challenging counterpart.