UP NEXT:
It’s Bank Holiday Monday as Buxton take on Curzon Ashton at The Silverlands with a 3pm kickoff.
The Bucks
On Saturday Buxton won 1-0 late on against Telford thanks to Luke Brennan’s goal.
Reflecting on the performance, manager John McGrath said:
“We were really good and really brave in the first half. I thought we passed it really well and the only thing we were missing was the clinical finish.
We just didn’t start the second half. We didn’t get the ball up to Tai quick enough or with quality, or wide to Ryan or Luke.
But credit to my boys. You’re talking about the 95th minute and you’ve got our holding midfielder Tate Campbell making a run in behind to slide a cross to Luke Brennan to score. “
Inside the Opposition Camp: Curzon Ashton Media assistant Rhys Hastings Owen
What are your thoughts on last season ?
Tough, record club points tally narrowly missing out on playoffs last game was gutting, another good run in the FA Cup, more records broken, another season to be proud of.
How did preseason go ?
Great, had a fairly large turnover of players who have settled in well, went unbeaten until the FC Halifax game, including a well fought 3-3 draw with Carlisle.
Any key standout players ?
Tony Weston & Cal Hawkins have taken to life in Tameside well, despite no win in the opening 3, both have easily kept us in games. Jack Stobbs has looked hungry for chances, getting his rewards against Chester.
How has the manager recruited ready for the season?
Bradders has recruited really well again in my opinion, with the outgoing talent, he’s replaced with players just as good & eager to impress.
What are your expectations for this season ?
Shock value again, better last season which would be playoffs, 7th & above.
How have you felt about the first few games ? (Asked pre Merthyr)
Well… 3 1-1 draws on the spin, 3 hard fought points, signs are good & pointing towards a first win rather than a loss.
Do you have a score prediction for our game ?
Always close between us, think I’m going to say 2-2. Alex Curran & Tony Weston to score for us.
Opposition facts
Curzon Ashton play their games at the Tameside stadium which has a capacity of 4000.
Mark Bradshaw this summer was promoted from assistant manager to manager after previous manager Craig Mahon left the club to join AFC Fylde.
They are nicknamed The Nash and were formed in 1963 following a merger of both Curzon Road Methodists and Ashton Amateurs FC.
Last season they finished 8th in the National League North narrowly missing out on playoffs by goal difference to The Bucks.
Curzon won back to back promotions in the 2013-14 season and the 2014-15 season, winning both the Northern Premier League Division One North and the playoffs in the Northern Premier League Premier division.
The furthest they have gone in the FA Cup is the second round which they reached in both the 2008-2009 season as well as the 2016-2017 season.
So far Curzon have three points from the opening four games and in their last game they lost 3-0 Merthyr.
One to Watch: Jack Stobbs
Former Buck Stobbs joined Curzon Ashton in the summer after a season with John McGrath’s side.
The 28 year old winger started his career at Sheffield Wednesday and made his debut in a 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.
He was out on loan at Matlock at the end of last season and has also previously been at Port Vale, Livingston, Oldham Athletic and Torquay United.
Last time they faced
Curzon Ashton won 1-0 when the sides met in February this year, Isaac Buckley Ricketts getting the only goal for the hosts.
Last time at The Silverlands it was also a 1-0 win for The Nash, after a goal from Luke Griffiths with Finn Delap getting sent off late on.
