CURZON ASHTON 0 – 1 DROYLSDEN

Manchester Premier Cup Semi-Final - Thursday 19 February 2009

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods progressed to the final of the Manchester FA Premier Challenge Cup with this hard-fought narrow victory over their nearest neighbours.

A solitary strike from Tony Gray on 19 minutes was sufficient to differentiate the two sides, but Droylsden never looked like losing this match, save for a couple of final frenetic minutes as Curzon looked to force extra-time.

Indeed, it was Gray who first went close for The Bloods, but his effort found the side netting.

The next real chance resulted in the game's only goal when Jamie McGuire fed Lee Roche on the right flank, and Gray neatly converted his cross from a central position to give David Carnell no chance.

On the half-hour mark a Liam Brownhill cross caused problems for the Curzon defence, and this was followed by a Neil Prince corner kick from which Gray struck the bar and Kevin Townson volleyed over from the loose ball.

Gray thought he had doubled the lead just before the break, but his header was ruled-out for offside.

After the break, Gray had another chance for Droylsden, but he tried one touch too many, allowing the Curzon defence to clear.

Curzon then managed a strike on goal, but Chris Worsley's effort went straight to Craig Mawson.

At the other end, Ian Fitzpatrick headed just wide from another Droylsden corner kick.

The Bloods continued to look comfortable, but without ever increasing their lead. This led to the inevitable final onslaught from the opposition, with Glyn Barker going closest at the death, but Mawson produced a stunning save from close ranger to deny the Curzon substitute.

TEAMS:

Curzon Ashton

Carnell, Russell, Verity, Birch, Watson, Goodeve (Edgehill, 70'), Worsley, Ogoo, (Tayo, 84') Norton, Kelsey (Barker, 78'), Elliott

Unused Subs.: Bennett, Hardy

Droylsden

Mawson, Roche, Brownhill, Cryan, Ruffer, Sorvel, Beck (Brown, 59'), McGuire, Gray, Townson (Tipton, 68'), Prince (Fitzpatrick, 63').

Unused Subs: Halford, Pickford.

ATTENDANCE: 197




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