Radcliffe travel to the Tameside Stadium to take on third-placed Curzon Ashton on matchday 18 of our 2024/25 Vanarama National League North campaign.
The Boro are unbeaten in the last four, and have won 5 of the last ten matches they have contested. Radcliffe can move as high as 17th in the table depending on other results elsewhere.
The Opposition
Curzon Ashton have had their best start to a campaign at step two in the club’s history after the opening 16 games, having picked up 30 points at this stage. They’re currently building on last season’s impressive seventh-placed finish, which saw the Nash compete in the play-offs for the first time at this level.
Under the management of player/manager Craig Mahon, Curzon Ashton have performed exceptionally away from home, having only dropped four points from eight matches. However, results at the Tameside Stadium have not been as great, with just three wins at home compared to six on the road.
Across the eight league matches that have been contested at the Tameside Stadium, the home side have scored ten times. However, seven of them came in two games, a 3-0 win against Needham Market and a 4-0 victory against Chester. Curzon Ashton have treated their fans to a first-half goal on just two occasions, with the scoreline reading 0-0 five out of eight times this season.
Curzon come into the fixture with the fourth best league form in the last five matches with three wins and a draw, having scored eight goals and conceded just once in that time. However, their most recent result was a defeat in the FA Trophy, as they were knocked out on penalties by Macclesfield after a 2-2 draw.
Ones to Watch
Bobby Jones has made a fantastic start to his time at Curzon Ashton since joining on a free transfer over the summer. In the 16 league matches so far, the ‘keeper has kept nine clean sheets and is sat second in the race for the golden glove.
Marcus Poshca has cemented himself as a key part of the defence at Curzon Ashton, having appeared over 150 times since he joined the side in the summer of 2020. A strong passer of the ball with the ability to remain calm under pressure, these elements mean that he will be key to his sides chances of victory on Saturday.
Stat Pack
21st – League Position – 3rd
17 – Games Played – 16
17 – Points – 30
4 – Wins – 9
5 – Draws – 3
8 – Losses – 4
21 – Goals For – 21
30 – Goals Against – 11
Hancock, Roscoe (5) – Top Goalscorer – Mols (6)
Last Time Out
The two sides have not met since 2018, when the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round saw Curzon Ashton travel up the M60 to the Neuven Stadium.
The Nash were a goal down within the first two minutes as Radcliffe captain Kingsley Williams fired home from inside the area, aided by two deflections on the way through a sea of bodies.
Joe Guest restored parity to the scoreline in the 24th minute with a low, driven effort from the edge of the box that found the back of the net. Four minutes later, Curzon Ashton had an opportunity to take the lead but Ollie Martin was able to save the visitors’ spot kick that had been bizarrely taken by Cameron Mason, the opposition goalkeeper.
It was Curzon Ashton who would progress in the competition in the end, as Niall Cummins smashed the ball goalwards late on with the Boro goalkeeper stranded at his near post, finding that all-important winner to seal his side’s progression.
Matchday Information
Date: 23/11/24
Time: 3pm kick-off
Location: Tameside Stadium
Adults – £17
Concessions (65+) and Students – £12
U16s – £2
This fixture is segregated, therefore Radcliffe fans will be allocated a section of the Tameside Stadium. Curzon Ashton currently haven’t disclosed which area of the ground this will be, stewards will be on hand to guide Boro supporters to the away section.
Tickets can be purchased online here.
Read our away information article here.
Can’t Attend The Game?
Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary over on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 2:45pm.
Around The Grounds
Alfreton Town v Brackley Town
Buxton v Oxford City
Chester v Chorley
Darlington v Hereford
King’s Lynn Town v Southport
Leamington v Scunthorpe United
Marine v Needham Market
Peterborough Sports v Spennymoor Town
Rushall Olympic v Warrington Town
Scarborough Athletic v Kidderminster Harriers
South Shields v Farsley Celtic
