Finishing Class

It was to be a miserable debut for loan keeper Martyn Margarson and a miserable day for the Boro forward line. Boro just about topping a goal a game , just 26 from 25 league starts, six of those in one game v Salford and with the top scorer Craig Dawson missing through suspension, it was easy to understand why the only home goal came from the penalty spot and so many good chances went begging. Curzon Ashton with a debutant in Shane Kelsey and marksman Mike Norton in the front line produced a flattering scoreline. Boro with Owen Roberts delivering the first quality ball of the day from a free kick leaves Mark Jones in a perfect spot at the far post his fall just at the vital moment denied Boro a 3 minute early lead. An early test for Margarson in the Boro goal as him showing some first night nerves with him electing to juggle the ball at the edge of his box and is lucky to see the ball lofted safely over his bar. He does better a minute later to punch strongly under pressure from Norton. David Birch Curzons captain sends a neat ball into the edge of the box that as Unsworth & Brockley working hard to see off Kelsey, Brockley does well to clear . Curzon look dangerous with a clever back heel by Andrew Watson finding Alex Elliott who crosses well to put Boro under pressure before Si Kelly clears very tidily.
The visitors all in red attack again this time on the flank with Danny Verity his cross is met well by Brockley assisted by Kelly the ball lands back with Verity and his cross shot fizzes across the goalmouth and wide. Tom Rutter trying his luck with a snap cross is unlucky not to see Roscoe get contact on the ball as it goes agonisingly too far in front of him. Norton is lively at the other end and gathers well just in the box before his route is blocked by Kelly the rebounding ball brings a shot from Elliot that is well wide. The pattern of the game is set with both sides capable of getting into danger areas and producing chances. Griff Jones shows great awareness in looping the ball from behind him into the path of Roscoe he races clear easily but the finish is missing and it flys well wide of target. He picks the ball up deep in his next spell and grafts to find a shooting slot, again the finish is poor when well placed . The game is lively with Boro kicking themselves for not being in the lead. Kelly pushes forward and sends the ball to the head of Roscoe who flicks out wide to Roberts is pass to Sampson is neat, Sampson sets Brookes who curls a good shot past the post a great move. Curzon still need watching with Norton the thorn in the side. Roscoe this time feeds Griff Jones who turns superbly but again the finish is missing. Jones is fouled in the next move after Kelly finds his run well he turns to go and is fouled, Roberts takes the kick but it is well cleared. Rutter is found out wide and he delivers well to Roscoe who is just beaten to the header. Sampson takes the corner and sees the ball well placed by the advancing Mark Jones, David Carnell pulls off a fantastic save at the foot of the post to keep the scores level. Kelly in defence is having a solid game and his last ditch tackle to deny Norton is top class. Before Boro can recover fully the ball is in space with Jordan Goodeve having enough time to pick his spot and chip the ball over the head of Margarson for the opener. A blow to boro after having three clear chances to take the lead themselves. The next 5 minutes are the visitors as they push for the second and get it this time through Mike Norton as he wriggling for space in the box his shot is only parried and lands back with him to dig it out and place easily past the on loan keeper, 2-0 with 10 to the break. Boro have to lift themselves and are still clearly in the game.
Brockley is replaced with Howson for the second half with Griff Jones slotting in behind the front two. Some early pressure from Boro as they look to narrow the deficit, Rutter goes on a fine run to be taken down in the last third. Roberts again with a quality ball in as the keeper undeciding and Roscoe is mere inches from nodding it in. Roscoe and Griff Jones are striking a good understanding and they are unlucky not to pull a scoring chance on 55 minutes. Within minutes Howson and Roscoe rise for the same Sampson cross , Roscoe wins the header but places straight into the keepers hands. Norton is fouled as he turns to run, Michael O'conner takes the kick and with the Boro keeper not making a decision the ball lands at the feet of Adam Jones two yards out leaving him the simplest of tasks to prod home. 3-0 with half an hour to go. Curzon are still keen to break even with a three goal cushion allowing Boro the chance to gain some pride back. Brooks does well to send a cross field ball to Rutter who with more time than he thinks shoots poorly wide from just inside the box. Curzon replace two to see the game out, soon after Mark drew replaces Brookes. Sampson sends a great Ball into Roscoe who heads on well to the run of Griff Jones and as he is about to pull the trigger he is brought down in the box , Mr Newell points to the spot , Griff Jones steps up and slots home to make it 3-1. Boro have little time to pull it round and struggle to make any more clear cut chances. Curzon finish the game and the lesson in finishing with a good goal starting with Phil Edgehill passing down the flank to Kelsey, he places a good ball across the edge of the box into the path of Norton who shoots firmly at goal and sees the ball hit the back of the net with the keeper stretching to get near the ball. 4-1! Curzon make one last sub as the 90 approaches . The class is dismissed by the refs final whistle, goals win games , chances do not. A period of goal scoring detention is needed , simple maths really Curzon with 6 clear cut chances score 4, boro with the same amount of chances score one from the spot. Plenty of head scratching was seen in the club house after the game.

Converting chances at Salford on Tuesday night is a must,

see you there.

Paul.