Tigers through in FA Trophy

The scoreline matched the last meeting between the sides, last season, which was also in the Trophy, and gave Tigers their second win in a row. There was just one change to the Tigers starting line-up with Tom Denton unavailable through his loan agreement, Ashley Burbeary making his long awaited return after his spell in Canada. Adam Brown and Sam Jepson from the club’s Under 19s squad were on the bench. The Tameside Stadium is an excellent facility but with the ground open at both ends the blustery wind made it difficult for both teams. A slick move in the opening minute involving Stuart Ludlam, Craig King, Burbeary and Matt Young was cleared by home keeper Joshua Ollerenshaw. An unnecessary back pass from Kern Miller gifted the home side a corner that came to nothing, and another back pass saw Paul Bastock slip but the keeper managed to recover in time as Kristian Dennis closed in. The home side had a great chance in the 15th minute but Scott Metcalfe pulled his shot wide of the far post following a through ball from Brian Summerskill. Just two minutes later Tigers were in front. A corner on the right was swung over by Lee Beeson and Kern Miller’s downward header found the net from 10 yards. A minute later Dennis was denied by a fine save from Bastock. King, who was lively for Tigers, cut in and saw his shot cannon off the post to safety and another Beeson corner caused problems, but Miller’s header was saved by Ollerenshaw. The home side were denied a goal for offside before Dennis equalised on 42 minutes. A poor clearance following a corner fell to Summerskill on the edge of the box, his shot found Dennis two yards from goal and he in turn squeezed it past Bastock. Tigers had the wind at their backs for the second half and went close to gaining the lead early on as Steve Tower’s header was tipped over and Beeson’s shot was well saved at the near post. A quick break from the home side put Tigers in trouble but an excellent tackle from skipper Ludlam snuffed out the danger. Tigers were now on top and Burbeary headed over, King saw his volley go just wide and a Burbeary free-kick just cleared the crossbar. But it was 2-1 when another Beeson corner from the right was misjudged by the defenders and Leon Mettam was on hand at the back post to head home from close range. With just six minutes remaining the home side equalised against the run of play. A ball from left was missed by the Worksop defence and Tony Evans controlled the ball before drilling it past Bastock into the far corner. The winner came with two minutes remaining of normal time. Ryan Clarke made a great run at the home defence before passing to Burbeary on the left, he hit a stunning first time volley across Ollerenshaw into the far corner. Despite the referee allowing nine minutes of added time plus some strange decisions against Tigers in and around their area, they deservedly gained their place in the draw. Curzon Ashton: Ollerenshaw, Bowyer (Robinson 74), Hampson (Blackshaw 74), Hunt, Furnival, Summerskill, Lakeland, Walker, Evans, Dennis, Metcalfe. Not used: Watson, Neequaye, Nightingale. Worksop Town: Bastock 6, Clarke 7, Wood 6, Young 6, Ludlam 7, MILLER 8, Beeson 6 (Menga 74), Towers 6, Burbeary 7, Mettam 6, King 7 (Telling 90). Not used: Hawes Brown, Jepson. Referee: Mr B. McGill. Assistants: Mr K. Sarsfield and Mr A. Hussain. Attendance: 164.