Seasons Change

The first day of Autumn seems like the first day of winter as the cold breeze cuts across the impressive Tameside stadium. The lights are already on confirming the nights are drawing in. Good news is that Martyn Forrest as made the journey with the team but will of course not feature. His place is given to Tom Brookes for his first start of the season. The curved perspex dugouts will be home to Rutter, Manning & Traynor. Curzon Ashton's season so far as been a mixed bag of results, the pick being a 5-0 away win at Trafford. The Boro are defending a 100% away record wearing their changed kit.

Curzons in form forward Norton is the first to scent goal after Dawson concedes the first corner of the game. The no 9s solid header from under the bar goes into the cold night air and for the next 20 minutes both teams tend to favour looking into the floodlights rather than grass in front of them. Some tame efforts that only keep the goalkeepers warm are the highlights of the first 30 minutes until the referee takes centre stage to have Chris Curley seeing red for an alleged stamp on Griff Jones . I among others saw it as a clash of boots and nothing intentional . The home side are down to ten at a time when players were starting to be more patient and find a pass or two that are controlled by feet rather than the head. Mark Jones as been pressing and forcing in midfield but is yet to look to involve Brookes and Chappell in is game plan. Brookes and Chappell although willing and able seem to have no objective or direction. Mark Jones can hunt and supply but a leader is needed to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Curzon have this by the name of Norton who takes the ball well on his chest to control but can't finish. The team in blue pick up the tempo and look to be more purposeful and wont allow Boro the one man advantage. Michael Norton in the last five of the half provides a great run and strike to force a good save low down by Priestley. Brookes shows good control and supplies Chappell who hits the ball too high of the target. Griff Jones provides a solid tackle to set Brookes free who in turn feeds Oates who shoots but is no test. My longing for soup and the excitement of queuing for it describes the entertainment both sets of supporters have endured.

I am hoping a copy of the leaked Arsene Wenger team briefs as found its way into the Boro dressing room and a vocal leader is elected from the many talented players available.

As i take my seat for the second half the ball is swung in for the head of Dawson and thump! 1-0 the Boro 1 minute in , playing ten men the record must stay intact.The game livens up, some strong challenges in the centre of the park has Mr Knowles speaking to the home side captain, Birch. Worsley and Elliott start to combine well on the boro right. Sampson is beaten well for speed and a good cross comes in that the emerging Elliott cant finish. Michael Oates as the chance to threaten but cant work a better sight and as no finish. The Boro centre backs are tested and they prove indecisive as the threat of Norton is seen as he pounces on 53 minutes and confidently finishes past Priestley 1-1. Buoyed by his goal the forward chases down hard to force Boro into conceding a corner. The ref blows for handball by Unsworth on the very edge of his own box. Edghill steps up and lines up Norton who drives against Kelly who spoons the ball out for a corner. The corner is taken well by the boro keeper as Curzon grow in confidence. From open play a hopefull ball is sent toward the visitors goal and Priestley claims but then can not hold only for the ball to run very kindly for the easiest of tasks for Elliott to slide the ball home. The restart is on the hour and Boro are yet to capitalise on the extra pair of feet on the pitch. They swop Chappell for the former England schoolboy Rutter . A surprise as Chappells mobility offered more than that of Griff Jones's cul de sac forward play. Rutter introduces pace to the Radcliffe Borough eleven and gives the full back some thinking to do.

Curzon break well and a better cross would have seen results, they are now the most likely by far. Mark Jones sees some of his industrial running nearly pay as he meets Hills decent free kick but is left holding the head that missed the target. Adam Jones and Elliott queue up to take advantage of a mis shaped defence but cant convert the two attempts. The referee as his card out when Edghill delivers an awful tackle in midfield , the colour is yellow , it was worse than the earlier sending off. Oates keeps running and trying to force something , the keeper stays cool and plays it out on the floor to frustrate even more.

Curzon break with purpose and with the boro players pressing Unsworth is caught out and the brace for Norton is complete as he takes well in his stride to finish low & hard into the net.

3-1, 20 minutes to go.

Double subs for the Boro, Brookes & Sampson for Manning & Traynor. Manning is quickly involved. Griff Jones shows what he is capable of with his back to goal forcing the marker to turn and foul him while he as control of the ball. The position is good , the free kick from Manning is poor. Rutter out on the right gets free and fires in a shot that as suspicion of handball from the defender.The reulting corner is met well by Kelly but he can only glance to the keeper.Griff Jones does well again to turn his man and win the foul. His hard work is wasted and the kick is sent skyward by Manning. Birch is marked tightly but finds a great pass inside the defence for Elliott to latch on to, Dawson is quicker and he clears. Tom Bailey replaces the effervescent Elliot as Curzon smell the three points. One final fling for Boro as Rutter flies down the right into the danger area and fires the shot of the game just over the bar. The last action sums the night up as Norton chases down hard on Priestley who bangs the ball against him he chases again and keeps the ball in to loft one towards goal, but is safely caught.

The whistle goes on a poor game with Boro looking ragged. The team throughout the game looked like strangers. Too many players looked unsure of their roles and how to bring the best out of them along side, somebody needs to lead the fight for possesion and control. Howson is sorely missed.

The days are getting shorter as is the squad list, winter will be on us, games postponed , fixture backlogs will put strain on the squad. The manager needs to harvest the best from players now and sow the seeds for spring if we want a fruitful summer.

Get wrapped up it could be a long 'un.

see you at the Irongate, Bamber Bridge.