Curzon Ashton 2-0 Brackley Town Vanarama National League North - Saturday 16th Dec 2023

Brackley suffered a further away defeat, as the goal drought continued. A goal in each half secured Curzon the win that lifts them above Saints in the table and condemned Gavin Cowan’s side to another frustrating afternoon.

“In truth we are totally exasperated,” Cowan said. “The players have worked so hard and put everything into practice we have asked of them but not the one thing which is converting the chances and this is such a big problem for us. It is hard to criticise the players other than in finding that critical final touch of scoring goals.”

Curzon went ahead on the half hour as Saints failed to clear a corner and George Waring forced the loose ball over the line. Brackley created the better of the first half chances Dom McHale twice going close as Cam Mason first saved well one handed at full stetch from a header before McHale fired just wide after another incisive counter-attack.

Curzon doubled the lead just five minutes into the second half as loanee Bobby Jones failed to keep out Craig Mahon’s shot in a moment the keeper will want to forget.

However, undeterred by that set-back Saints dominated the half going close on a number of occasions but unable to make the break-through. McHale was set up neatly close to goal by Morgan Roberts and his finish was some how cleared off the line with Mason beaten, Jimmy Armson’s effort was pushed round the post by Mason at the last, Roberts fired over from close range and a finger tip save touched Zak Lilly’s shot onto the post as Saints did everything but score. At the other end Curzon had chances to extend the lead as Brackley pushed forward in what was an excellent game of football but ultimately a hugely disappointing afternoon for Brackley.

“To come away from here not having scored from the chances we had and for those key moments for us to concede is hard to fathom,“ Cowan added. “Fortunately we are still in and around the mix but our position should be so much better. It is hard to take. It is hard to watch your team create so many chances and not come away with three points again.”

Brackley Town: Jones, Lilly, Gudger, Dean, Calder, Lyttle (Bates 77), Murombedzi, McHale, O’Sullivan (Armson 59), Roberts, Jervis (Turner 74). Subs unused: Worby, Matwasa.

Curzon Ashton: Mason, Poscha, Matthews, Kenyon (Hughes 65), Sinclair, Storey (Mols 80), Hayhurst, Waring (Spencer 63), Richards, Mahon, Barton. Subs unused: Campbell, Allen.

Referee: Luis Griffiths Assistants: Joshua Howell and Jordan Brooks

Attendance: 233