Evo-Stik Division One North - Saturday 5th January 2013
Prescot Cables were defeated by Curzon Ashton at Hope Street despite a spirited fight back during the second half.
Cables manager Dave Powell made four changes from the side which lost at Cammell Laird on Boxing Day. Campbell, Murphy, McCulloch and Dawson replacing Spotwood, Fielding, Piana and Furlong. Martin Campbell became the seventh goalkeeper to be used by Cables this season.
Cables kicked off defending the Hope Street End. Conditions were heavy on a pitch which had been saturated by heavy rain during the last few weeks.
Curzon had the first effort on goal after 6 minutes when Ryan Watson picked the ball up in midfield and taking it forward drove a hard shot which Campbell saved comfortably. Watson and Purcell then set up Walker but his shot from an acute angle went just over the bar.
Cables had an opportunity on 16 minutes when Ged Murphy’s long through ball put Liam Dawson clear. As Curzon defender Powell attempted a challenge, Dawson went down on the edge of the box and ended up being booked for diving. Curzon then had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later when Powell headed home Walker’s cross but was ruled offside.
After a flare up in the centre of the pitch involving several players, Curzon’s McDonagh and Cable’s Chris Rimmer both received yellow cards. On 34 minutes Lambert was clear through on goal but he shot straight at Curzon keeper Ollerenshaw who saved comfortably. Webb then saw his goal bound effort deflected for a corner. The corner was cleared by the Curzon defence to the edge of the penalty area to Webb who fired his effort over the bar.
Curzon almost increased their lead just before the break when from Purslows cross Mcdonagh connected from close range only to see Campbell save at the far post.
Curzon had the first scoring opportunity of the second half on 50 minutes when Purcell’s half hit effort was saved by Campbell. Owens had an opportunity for Cables after good work by Shinks and Dawson down the right but as he was about to shoot he was challenged by a Curzon defender and his shot was easily taken by Ollerenshaw.
Cambell hit a clearance against Dennis which nearly rebounded into the Cables net, and on 58 minutes Campbell made a spectacular save from Watson’s 20 yard shot. On 62 minutes a quickly taken free kick from Murphy caught out the Curzon defence and Ollerenshaw saved from Dawson with his legs. Campbell was called into action again a minute later making a fine save from McDonagh.
Cables equalised after 68 minutes when Anthony Shinks took the ball forward on the right cut inside and launched a spectacular long range effort into the top corner of the net. Cables then had a spell of pressure and a headed back pass by a Curzon defender evaded Ollerenshaw but just went wide of the goal. Campbell then saved a header by Walker from Bowyer’s cross.
Cables went close to taking the lead on 77 minutes when Gratton and Lambert linked up down the left, Lamberts shot just clearing the far post.
Campbell then made another fine save saving at the far post from Evans on 82 minutes. However a minute later Curzon took the lead when Purcell controlled Richardson’s cross on his chest before firing into the far corner of the net. Campbell then made another fine save from Watson’s 20 yard free kick.
Curzon wrapped the game up in the 88 minute when from a miss hit clearance Walker intercepted outside the penalty area and fired home unopposed. Purcell then had a chance to further increase Ashton’s lead but his low hard shot was pushed round the post by Campbell.
Prescot Cables: Campbell, Shinks, Murphy, Hollett, Rimmer, Owens, McCulloch, Lambert, Dawson, Webb, Gratton. Substitutes: Kelly, Benn, Booth, Edwards, Taylor.
Comments