CURZON Ashton aim to qualify for the first round proper of the FA Cup this evening when they take on York City at the Tameside Stadium.
After the Nash managed a creditable one-all draw at Bootham Crescent on Saturday afternoon, Jon Flanagan’s men will be hoping to complete the job in front of their own supporters during this evening’s replay against a York side under new management after Gary Mills’ reappointment yesterday.
After victories over Consett FC (via a replay) and Bedworth Town, Curzon are looking to reach the first round proper for only the second time in their 53-year history and come into this evening’s game in decent form with just one defeat in their last seven matches across both the National League North and FA Cup.
In contrast, York City are a side in something of a crisis. Having been relegated from the Football League at the end of the 2015-16 season, the Minstermen have struggled to adapt to life back on the non-league circuit. They’ve won just three of their 15 league games and enough was enough for Jackie McNamara, who resigned from his position as first team manager following a 1-1 draw at lowly Braintree Town on October 8.
Bizarrely, McNamara was in-charge for the first meeting between York and Curzon on Saturday – his services retained in a caretaker capacity but he will vacate the dugout following Mills’ reappointment. The 54-year old was in charge of league rivals Wrexham as recently as Friday but has returned to the club where he had great success between 2010 and 2013 winning promotion to the Football League as well as FA Trophy.
Team News:
Curzon have the same squad available to them from Saturday’s game with only long-term absentees Andy Watson, Danny Shaw and Simon Woodford out of action. Niall Cummins who slid in the Nash’s equaliser on Saturday is expected to lead the line
For York we understand there to be four guaranteed absences most notably playmaker Aidan Connelly who misses out with a hamstring strain, Fraser Murdoch, Josh Robinson and Ben Barber are also set to watch tonight from the stands.
Side Last Time Out:
Curzon Ashton: Burton, Baillie, Stott, Hunt, Hampson (Hall ’46), Guest, Clark, (Howard ’81), Rowney, Brown, Cummins, Wright (Gorman ’86)
Unused subs: Ennis, Tomsett, Mason
York City: Letheren, Oyebanjo, Higgins, Kamdjo, Whittle, Rooney (Felix ’52), Heslop, Fielding (Dixon ’52), Galbraith, Klukowski, Brodie (Nti ’70)
Unused subs: Simpson, Fry, Clappison, Rzonca
By Jordan Davies
@jordandavies09
Recent Comments