Curzon Ashton take big leap towards title with victory at Farsley AFC

Neil Parsley tipped Curzon Ashton for the Evo Stik Division One North title after seeing his Farsley AFC side lose 1-0 to them at Throstle Nest, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Simon Woodford’s first half goal gave Curzon a crucial victory which was made even sweeter by the news that Warrington and their next opponents Darlington had drawn their respective matches.
Billed as game of the day in the Division, the match itself was dull because of heavy wind and both sides failed to create many chances.
But from Curzon’s point of view, it did matter and Parsley believes that Curzon, who are now nine points clear at the top of the table, will be the 2014 champions.
“I think Curzon will win it now,” he said.
“I think they have enough breathing space and looking at the games they have I don’t think Curzon will drop enough points to enable either Warrington or Darlington to catch them.
“It has been a good day for Curzon and they have capitalised (on the results elsewhere). I think Warrington and Darlington have too much to do to catch Curzon.”
Due to the heavy wind, Curzon dominated during the first half. Farsley skipper Robbie O’Brien saw an early shot flash wide, but that was the last meaningful attack from the home side in the opening half.
John Flanagan’s Curzon then began to exert some control on the match and the highly-rated Matthew Warburton forced two excellent saves from Farsley goalkeeper Tom Morgan during different moments of the game.

The decisive moment arrived on 25 minutes. The visitors were awarded a free kick close to the penalty area and on the right wing after O’Brien fouled Curzon captain Samuel Walker. Walker took the free kick himself and curled it towards the back-post where Woodford was on hand to guide the ball over the goal-line.
Curzon continued to place Farsley under extreme pressure, but the home side kept them down to the one goal lead by half-time.
The second half was always going to be different story because the wind was blowing in Farsley’s favour. Unfortunately the play-offs contenders failed to capitalise on their advantage.
Parsley brought on strikers Adam Priestley and Aiden Savory on 56 minutes in a bid to force an equaliser, but neither had the spark required.
Priestley looked the brighter of the two and he helped his side win a succession of corners which Curzon had to endure midway through the half – Farsley’s best period of pressure.
Farsley could not find the break through and Curzon held on fairly comfortably.
Defensively Curzon were well-organised and looked worthy of being potential champions. Midfielder Walker, one of the best captains in the league, pulled the strings and was excellent.

Towards the end, in a rare venture forward, Warburton almost sealed the points when he broke through and pulled another save out of Morgan.
But one goal was enough and Parsley added: “It’s disappointing in respect that we didn’t get the three points.
“The game was a non-entity and I thought it was a dreadful game (because of the wind).
“For the goal I thought the ball was put into an area where we should have dealt with it. We didn’t deal with it and I don’t think we were set up right for the free kick.
“But when we had chances from umpteenth corners, in the majority of them we haven’t made Curzon work.
“Neither goalkeeper had a lot to do and they defended resolutely and that’s why they have kept as many clean sheets as they have done. We didn’t really create any chances today.”
Farsley AFC: Morgan, Hardy, Serrant (Grant 76), Daly, Dempsey, Miller, O’Brien (captain), Young (Priestley 56), Ellington (Savory 56), James, Hull. Subs unused: Taylor, Owen.
Curzon Ashton: Burton, Woodford, Hampson, Hunt, A Watson, Young, Rowney, Walker (captain), Cummins (McDonald 79), Warburton (R Watson 88), Brooke. Subs unused: Horrocks, Lakeland, Bett.
Referee: Mr T Bramall (South Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 9/10
Attendance: 194
Man of the match: Samuel Walker (Curzon Ashton)

Match Photos are HERE