Northern Premier League

Curzon made the long journey up to Newcastle United on Sunday hoping to get back to winning ways after a run of disappointing results. On a decent pitch with a strong wind going towards one goal Curzon set off against the wind, Newcastle accustomed to playing in these conditions started brightly and began shooting at every possibility, Curzon keeper Lauren Bracewell returning to action after being knock out against Aston Villa was equal to any long range shot Newcastle could deliver with one outstanding save tipped over the bar.

Curzon were playing some bright quick tempo football on the floor with Amanda Goodwin being her usual creative and industrious self running the midfield, Carla Cleworth who is having the best season of her career for Curzon was involved in all things positive going forward.

Curzon conceded an avoidable goal after twenty minutes a slip on the halfway line allowed Newcastle to break and in-experience defending allowed the striker to skip passed and clean through to score. This wasn’t deserved and lessons need to be learnt. Curzon hit back with quality moves down both flanks of the pitch Emma Lambourne was causing problems with her direct pace and Jodie Redgrave was delivering quality from the left, both Issy Hayes and Shelly James had chances but found the wind difficult to strike the ball. Newcastle forced several corners in which Curzon defended well; going in at half time just 1 down gave Curzon a great chance for a positive result.

Curzon decided to push Emma Lambourne up front and put Newcastle on the back foot with three up front all with pace. This worked well and forced Newcastle to drop deep which created a lot of space in midfield, Curzon had the ball in the net after Jodie Redgrave picked out Issy Hayes with a perfect cross field ball, Issy struck the ball sweetly and the keeper parried into the path of Emma Lambourne who passed the ball into the net but was ruled offside.

Curzon's equalizer came after good work down the left with Charlotte Higginson and Jodie Redgrave resulting in Shelley James scoring her tenth goal of the season. Curzon now on the front foot looked for the winner and were camped in the Newcastle half, Newcastle stuck to their task and chances when created needed to be taken, Issy Hayes had another shot saved that dropped to the feet of Jodie Redgrave, but unfortunately Jodie didn’t connect and the shot rolled to the keeper. A late break away for Newcastle with Sophie Riley and Kellie Leyland whom both had solid games, in good positions, the ball cannoned against them and allowed Newcastle's leading scorer a half chance and she slotted the ball away coolly.

This was a cruel defeat after the effort and quality Curzon had produced. Games are won and lost in the penalty area’s at both ends and Curzon at the moment deserve the luck you need when games are tight to go on and win the game.

Curzon team - Lauren Bracewell, Sophie Riley, Kellie Leyland , Carla Cleworth ,Emma Lambourne, Jodie Redgrave, Gail Pennington, Amanda Goodwin (c), Issy Hayes, Shelley James, Charlotte Higginson. Subs - Hannah McDonough, Nikki Maylett, Sophie Turrell

Curzon player of the game - Jodie Redgrave