AFC Telford 1 Curzon Ashton 1 - Report

The first half started with a team selection that raised more questions than it answered, the result being a stilted display with a goal conceded as the result of an error; throw into the mix another player sustaining an injury that ended his participation, and the Bucks looked set for a continuation of their recent woes, writes Rich Worton.

By contrast, the second half contained many more positive elements, and the Bucks emerged with a point; it wasn’t the win that would have quelled the displeasure amongst noisier segments of the club’s fans, but it could perhaps point Gavin Cowan’s team in the direction of salvation. There was more cohesion, courage and positive intent, along with a healthy measure of commitment; crucially there was a goal too, Jason Oswell’s equaliser the reward for a bellicose display, the half-time substitute’s willingness to almost literally trade blows with the Curzon defence a catalyst for his team’s improved display.

Heavy rain, followed by freezing temperatures in Greater Manchester, meant that this fixture, originally scheduled for the Tameside Community Stadium, was switched to the New Buck’s Head at no more than 24 hours notice. Neither club had any desire to lose a Saturday fixture in an already condensed league programme, one growing ever busier as weather and Covid postponements exert their grip.

The Bucks went into the game without a league victory since the last weekend in November and only one victory since, the extraordinary 10-1 FA Trophy victory at Coleshill Town in mid-December. Cowan would have been eager for his team not to turn a drama into a crisis, or a rut into a grave, urging them to show character and the courage to demand the ball and make things happen.

The manager could have been forgiven for being dismayed with what he saw in the opening 45 minutes, however; the Bucks weren’t slow out of the blocks, and neither did they pay the visitors too much respect, but neither did they possess much spark.

Both sides forced early corner kicks, and the Bucks first goal attempt came when Kole Hall’s hold-up play brought Andy Bond forwards from midfield, his rising side-footed effort clearing the crossbar. Visiting left-back Matty Waters impressed going forwards all afternoon, and it took a fine block on the stretch from Ross White to prevent Russ Griffiths from having to deal with Waters fiercely hit cross-shot on 17 minutes. Just a few minutes later the Bucks had to adjust their plans when Jack Byrne limped off with a hamstring concern, Jordan Davies replacing him; the home side were clearly wary of conceding possession but too often those in defence had few options ahead of them, with little movement or players making themselves available to receive the ball.

With half an hour gone the Bucks best chance of the half came from a Dom McHale free-kick, but although his delivery into the penalty area reached defender Theo Streete, he could only head the ball downwards and into the side netting.

The Nash then won a free-kick; still Waters ran from deep, and when Bond’s trailing leg conceded a free-kick Waters himself was set-up for a strike at goal that thumped into the onrushing defensive wall to safety.

The breakthrough wasn’t long in coming, however; on 39 minutes, Bucks left-back Eddy Jones lost his footing and with it, possession. Pacy attacker Alex Curran seized on his error and escaped down the right, with his inviting cross met by the head of Dominic Knowles, his effort glanced past Russ Griffiths and rebounding in off the inside of the far post.

The visitors had been patient and clinical when their chance came, and once again the Bucks appeared to be peering into the abyss.

Cowan made a further change at the interval, Oswell replacing the fitful James Hardy, and from that point onwards the Bucks’ approach began to transform. It was Oswell’s physical presence that was to prove key to the Bucks revival, and the forward went close with a header from another McHale free-kick on 51 minutes, unable to keep his header below the angle of post and crossbar.

The Nash were in retreat for the first time, and when Aaron Williams arrived as replacement for Kole Hall on the hour, things finally began to click for the home team.

On 65 minutes, Bucks’ heads were in hands as visiting keeper Cameron Mason produced a save Cowan described as “world class” to plunge and turn Streete’s goal bound header past his left post from a McHale free-kick.

The impetus was building; Adam Walker’s shot from a ball headed down to him by Oswell was deflected for a corner and from the resulting kick the Bucks levelled.

It was direct, and this time Mason was powerless as Oswell was unfathomably left unmarked and caught the ball accurately at the far post to bludgeon the ball home from close range.

With their collective tails up, the Bucks began to link up play in the final third, with Oswell, William and Davies prominent. Davies warmed Mason’s gloves from 20 yards, and enjoyed his best spell of the game with some testing crosses that kept the Nash on high alert.

Oswell was involved in an off the ball incident with Nash substitute Marcus Poscha, appearing to have taken a deliberate blow to the face behind the play and missed by referee Richard Aspinall.

The visitors had been penned in their own half and looked to relieve the pressure by introducing substitute Craig Hobson for the tiring and booked Knowles.

He helped bring his side back into the game, winning a free-kick that earned Streete a booking and saw Paul Turnbull beat the defensive wall but also the crossbar.

The choice of Hobson then almost paid a dividend as he connected with a dangerous cross at the far post with the Bucks outmanned, but his firm header went straight into Griffiths’ gloves to extinguish their brief flicker and ensure the Bucks secured the least reward they deserved, although they did have to negotiate more than seven minutes of injury time to claim their spoils.