The Silkmen make the short journey to Greater Manchester to take on Curzon Ashton in The Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round on Saturday.
Both sides will be looking to make it to the Fourth Round of the competition for the very first time
We take a look at a deeper look at Saturday’s opponents in our first edition of Opposition Focus.
HISTORY
Curzon Ashton was formed in 1963 after the merger of two clubs, Curzon Road Methodists F.C. and Assheton Amateurs F.C., who played in the Manchester Amateur Football League. The amalgamated club’s name was originally Curzon Amateurs before being changed to Curzon Ashton.
In 1983/84 Curzon became a founding member of the North West Counties League when the MWCL Cheshire League and the Lancashire Combination merged as part of the non-league pyramid. During the 1985/86 season, the Nash finished in a relegation position, but Curzon went on to become founding members of the Northern Premier League Division One. The club was briefly moved to the Northern Counties East League before returning to the North West Counties prior to the 1998/99 season. The club would remain in this league before being promoted to the Northern Premier League in the 2007/08 season.
The Nash were promoted into the National League North in 2014/15 after back to back promotions from the Northern Premier League divisions following a play off victory over Ilkeston Town. They have been a staple in the National League system ever since becoming an established side in the league.
CURRENT FORM
The Nash are one of the form sides in the National League North winning four of their last five in all competitions. Craig Mahon’s side currently sit sixth in the league thanks a successful run of form seeing them sit second in the form table.
Last time out, Curzon travelled to Banbury United and came away with a late victory thanks to a 91st minute winner from former Silkman Hayden Campbell. Prior to a 0-0 draw away at South Shields, The Nash picked up three wins in a row starting with the last round of The Isuzu FA Trophy against our fellow Northern Premier League side Matlock Town.
Before the visit of Matlock, our hosts also had two other victory’s starting with a narrow victory over Bishops Stortford before picking up a convincing 3-1 win over Blyth Spartans at the Tameside Stadium.
SATURDAY’S VENUE
Ground – Tameside Stadium
Capacity – 4,000
Stadium Fact – The Tameside Stadium was officially opened by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005.
ONE TO WATCH
STEFAN MOLS – MIDFIELDER
Midfielder Stefan Mols is one to watch for The Nash. Mols has been one of the standouts over recent weeks for The National League North side. The Spaniard born in Andalusia, joined The Nash from Warrington Town in the summer and has so far made 20 appearances for the hosts.
Mols scored a brace in their recent victory over Blyth Spartans and forms an important partnership alongside Player-Manager Craig Mahon in The Nash midfield.
Stefan was previously part of Blackburn Rovers’ Academy for over five years before making the permanent move to Warrington back in 2021/22.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Saturday will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides. We have faced The Nash on two occasions in Pre-Season Friendlies most recently in the summer where The Silkmen came out 4-1 winners thanks to goals from Tom Peers, Hayden Campbell and Leon Arnasalam.
