AFC Telford
1 v 1
Curzon Ashton
Match Review
There was late drama at the SEAH Stadium as the Bucks found a stoppage time equaliser to draw 1-1 with Curzon Ashton.
The Bucks perhaps had the best chance in the early exchanges, with Rhys Hilton firing a into the side netting, but Curzon also had opportunities to open the scoring. Crispin McLean and Alex Curran wasted good openings for the visitors, but The Nash looked dangerous down the flanks.
As the half wore on, the Tamesiders looked the more likely, but the Bucks went close right on half time, when Khanya Leshabela fired in a shot that canoned back off the post. Goalless at half time.
The visitors nearly began the second half with a bang, with McLean causing the Bucks a headache once more. The Fleetwood loanee fired in a ball that found Adam Barton unmarked in the middle, but the Curzon man seemed far too casual as he sent his shot wide when wonderfully placed.
Shortly after that let off, Kevin Wilkin made a double change, with Dylan Allen-Hadley and Ola Lawal coming on on the flanks. And the Bucks perked up not long after, forcing a series of corners that caused The Nash some issues – Oliver Cawthorne going closest with a downward header that flashed just past the post.
The Bucks were cranking up the pressure, with first Lawal and then Allen-Hadley looking particularly dangerous. But while Wilkin’s men were on top, clear cut opportunities were still at a premium. In the 76th minute Allen-Hadley hit a shot that was heading for the roof of the net, but Hawkins threw up a hand to make a good stop and keep the scores level.
But with the Bucks pushing for a winner, The Nash hit them with a sucker punch in the 84th minute. Amid home cries for a foul on Allen-Hadley, Timi Sobowale won the ball back for the visitors, who worked it to Jack Stobbs, and he crossed from the left for Ben Darby to head home from 10 yards.
The closing stages were frenetic as the Bucks searched for an equaliser, while Curzon looked like they might nab another on the break. And it was Wilkin’s men who found the goal that they craved in the 93rd minute. Jordan Piggott did well to keep the pressure on, and when the ball came into the box from Cranston, Orrin Pendley hurled himself headlong to power a header past Hawkins.
The Bucks looked much better in the second half and could easily have grabbed all three points on another day. But while Curzon’s goal came against the run of play, a point apiece was probably about right over the whole 90 minutes. Wilkin’s men are certainly showing their resilience though, and the Bucks’ unbeaten run now stands at 20 games.
Match Information
Match Date: August 16th, 2025 3:00 pm
Competition: National League North
Kick Off: 15:00
Attendance: 1,363
Venue: New Bucks Head
Team Sheet
Subs
- Charlie Williams (replaced Dylan Allen-Hadley, 53 minutes)
- Rhys Hilton (replaced Ola Lawal, 53 minutes)
- Matty Stenson (replaced Adan George, 79 minutes)
- Luke Rowe (replaced Jordan Piggott, 89 minutes)
- Remi Walker (replaced Manny Ilesanmi, 89 minutes)
Officials
Referee: Darren Rogers
Assistant 1: Reece Davies
Assistant 2: Simon Gudger
Official 4: n/a
