National League North
Harrogate Town 1-1 Curzon Ashton
Action from Harrogate Town 1-1 Curzon Ashton. Picture: Craig Hurle
Ten man Harrogate Town and nine man Curzon Ashton had to make do with a point a piece after a draw at the CNG Stadium.
The hosts were aiming for the win, knowing that if they achieved it they would move one step closer to the guaranteeing a play-off place.
Before the game, the atmosphere at the CNG Stadium was being created by both sets of fans who stood and sat with each other.
The match began with Curzon nearly taking the lead within a minute when a ball across the goal nearly found Joe Guest who would have had a tap-in, but Joe Colbeck was able to get a toe on the ball and move it out of the striker’s way.
There was plenty of drama in the match and within 10 minutes both sides had a man sent off first Guest was shown a straight red for an off the ball incident, then Town’s Warren Burrell was dismissed due to a challenge, which the referee deemed strong enough for a red card.
With both teams down to ten, there was more space for the remaining players and Town nearly scored when Tom Platt who joined the side on a permanent basis from York City earlier in the week, saw his effort go just wide.
The game simmered after that but the away side were able to take the lead, when Matthew Warburton was put through on goal and he made no mistake with a calm finish.
The second half started with Town pressing while the away side sat back knowing they could catch them on the break.
Town were soon level when they got a penalty, this was after a corner found Danny Ellis who headed towards goal, the effort was blocked by the visitors Chris Rowney who was adjudged to have handled the ball and he was sent off, Brendan Daniels took the penalty and despite the keeper going the right way he was able to score.
This gave the hosts a boost and they then we’re pushing for goal, with Daniels this time firing a free-kick from 40 yards just wide.
But Curzon despite being down to nine, looked dangerous on the counter with Liam Tomsett almost latching onto a through ball, if he had he was one on one with Town keeper Peter Crook, Town kept pressing but just couldn’t get the winning goal.
In the end, both sides left with a point with Harrogate next facing Bradford Park Avenue on Monday.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver:
Harrogate Town: Crook, Colbeck, Foster, Ellis, Warren (Thewlis 60) Burrell, Platt, Swain, Emmett, Knowles (Daniels 60), Clayton (Thirwell 45). Subs unused: Gascoigne, Stewart.
@ThomasFeaheny