It was three of the best for Moors as they came out triumphant against National League North play-off hunters Curzon Ashton at Tameside Stadium.
Goals from Junior Mondal, Glen Taylor and Will Harris were enough to send Graeme Lee’s men back to The Brewery Field with all three points as they kept up their own bid for a top seven finish.
The hosts started the game the stronger of the two sides, as captain James Spencer got on the end of a Michael Afuye cross. His glancing header fell just wide of the upright.
The Nash continued to come forward in the opening stages, as Alex Curran got a shot away from the edge of the area, before Stefan Mols’ effort flew just over the crossbar.
Curzon’s number 8, Isaac Sinclair, saw his firm volley palmed around the post by Rohan Luthra, having struck the effort from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Moors tried their luck at the other end in the 9th minute as Corey McKeown hit a lofted strike just over the crossbar from the left-hand side of the penalty area.
Olly Dyson struck an effort from a similar position nine minutes later, only for Bobby Jones to comfortably save, before Matty Dolan saw his clipped strike fly over from 20 yards out just two minutes later.
Rob Ramshaw had a half chance go amiss at one end, as his header went wide. The Nash had a chance of their own at the other end soon after as Marcus Poscha’s acrobatic effort looped up and over via the crossbar.
Reece Staunton got into an advantageous position on the left-hand side as he swung an enticing ball into the back post for Aidan Rutledge, whose header fell just wide of the mark.
The Nash saw another opportunity saved by Luthra at the right-hand post, as he did well to palm Sinclair’s effort from an awkward angle wide.
The scores were level at the break as both sides will have been pleased with their performances in the opening 45.
Moors looked to take an early lead in the second half as Dolan took aim from a freekick, however, Jones was in the right position to catch it, as the ball was well held.
Home skipper, Spencer went close again as his interesting, outside of the foot effort from the edge of the box flew just wide of Luthra’s left post.
Graeme Lee’s men finally broke the deadlock on the 61st minute through Junior Mondal. The winger tucked home a clinical finish from close range after Rob Ramshaw brilliantly squared the ball in from the right-hand side.
Moors were made to defend just a few minutes after the restart as The Nash looked to answer back immediately. Afuye did well to get past Staunton at the byline before hitting one on goal. His low effort, however, was well saved by the feet of Luthra.
The host again tired their luck again as Spencer got one on one with Luthra, only to fire well wide of the left post, much to the bewilderment of the Curzon fans behind the goal.
McKeown’s last act before being replaced by Glen Taylor, was to send a brilliant header across goal, that was met with an equally as brilliant save from Bobby Jones, who did well to parry the effort wide and out of danger.
Moors really began to get on top of proceedings, with a second goal looking immanent, as Michael Ledger’s long ball fell brilliantly to Will Harris on the left-hand side, who lashed a cross past the face of goal, that somehow evaded everyone.
Substitute Taylor did well to adjust in the area and set up Ramshaw on the edge of the area. The midfielder unleashed a powerful effort on goal, but his strike was well wide in the end.
Taylor did find his way onto the scoresheet on the 82nd minute after some brilliant build-up play. Mondal won the ball in the middle of the park and drove goalward with Ramshaw and Taylor in support. The winger played Ramshaw in, who then brilliantly laid it off to Taylor, with the big number 9 prodding home from close range.
Taylor almost doubled his tally four minutes later as a Matty Dolan corner found his head in the centre of the penalty area. The resident goal scorer rose above everyone else to flick the header goalward, but it dipped just wide of the left upright.
It was another substitute, in the form of Will Harris, who put the icing on the cake with two minutes of normal time remaining, as he got in behind onto Taylor’s flick before slotting home past Jones with a smart finish into the bottom right corner.
A fantastic win for Graeme Lee’s men, who now find themselves just one point outside of those desired play-off spots.
Full Time: Curzon Ashton 0 Moors 3
Curzon Ashton: Jones, Litherland, Sobowale, Poscha, Hayhurst, Mols (Buckley-Ricketts 65), Sinclair, Barton, Afuye (Griffiths 77), Curran (Lacey 65), Spencer.
Subs not used: Mahon, KvAternik.
Booked: Sobowale (75)
Moors: Luthra, Dyson, Ledger, Pollock, Staunton, Dolan, Shrimpton, Mondal (Myers 84), Ramshaw, McKeown (Taylor 71), Rutledge (Harris 44).
Subs not used: Simpson, Beals.
Booked: Staunton (22), Ramshaw (48)
Referee: Harry Jones
Attendance: 328
Written by Noah Betts
